Operating Engineer Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $101,339 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $99,378 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $92,840 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $90,224 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $86,302 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $84,994 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $83,686 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $81,725 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $79,764 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $75,187 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $75,187 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $74,533 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $73,226 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $71,918 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $71,918 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $70,610 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $68,649 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $68,649 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $66,688 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $66,688 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $65,380 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $65,380 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $64,726 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $64,726 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $64,072 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $62,111 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $62,111 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $60,803 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $60,803 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $60,803 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $60,150 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $60,150 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $59,496 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $58,842 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $57,534 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $57,534 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $57,534 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $57,534 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $57,534 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $57,534 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $56,881 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $56,881 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $56,881 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $56,227 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $55,573 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $55,573 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $54,919 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $54,265 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $54,265 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $52,304 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $50,996 | -22.0% | High |
A Operating Engineer's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Operating Engineers typically earn $40,930–$54,730 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $85,780–$97,962 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Operating Engineer role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Skilled Trades sector.
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What is the average salary for a Operating Engineer?The average salary for a Operating Engineer in the United States is $65,380 per year, with a median of $60,560.
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What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineer?Entry-level Operating Engineers typically earn between $40,930 and $54,730 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Operating Engineers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Operating Engineers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Operating Engineer make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $65,380, a Operating Engineer earns approximately $31.43 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Operating Engineer a good career in 2026?Yes — the Operating Engineer role has high demand with 3.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.