Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Western North Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $46,970 -20% vs national
Median hourly $22.58
10th percentile $36,170
90th percentile $59,470
Employed locally 1,490
National median $58,710

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Western North Carolina
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,170
    25th
    $39,720
    50th (median)
    $46,970
    75th
    $53,430
    90th
    $59,470

    Top-paying metros for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    Urban Honolulu, HI $109,740
    Hawaii $105,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Springfield, IL $99,950

    Related occupations in Western North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $40,600
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $65,920
    Carpenters $40,760
    Electricians $50,180
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $47,290
    Highway Maintenance Workers $43,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in Western North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Western North Carolina is $22.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.18 or more per hour.

    Is Western North Carolina above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Western North Carolina is 20% below the national median of $58,710. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Western North Carolina?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,170 per year in Western North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,720.