Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $48,200 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.17
10th percentile $38,300
90th percentile $61,150
Employed locally 790
National median $58,710

Compare Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary & buying power

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Wilmington, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,300
    25th
    $45,330
    50th (median)
    $48,200
    75th
    $54,700
    90th
    $61,150

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 65% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 35% below the area median household income

    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

    Nearby metros — Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $79,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,800
    Anchorage, AK $73,940
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $73,500
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $73,470

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$43,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$63,950
    Electricians$50,210
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$48,770
    Carpenters$48,340
    Helpers--Electricians$36,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in Wilmington?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wilmington, NC is $23.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.83 or more per hour.

    Is Wilmington above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Wilmington, NC is 17.9% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,300 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,330.