📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Operating Engineer Salary in Mississippi (2026)

Mississippi · 20.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$52,304
per year
Median
$48,448
per year
Hourly
$25.15
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$32,744
25th Percentile — Junior$43,784
50th Percentile — Median$48,448
75th Percentile — Senior$68,624
90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,369
💡 Top-earning Operating Engineers in Mississippi make up to $78,369 per year. The job market in Mississippi is rated low, with key industries including Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$44.0k
2021
$45.6k
2022
$47.2k
2023
$48.8k
2024
$50.5k
2025
$52.3k
2026
📈 Operating Engineer salaries in Mississippi have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Mississippi's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Operating Engineer Salary by City in Mississippi
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Statewide Average $52,304 +0% High
🔍
Operating Engineer Job Market in Mississippi
Key factors affecting compensation

Mississippi is home to a low job market for Operating Engineers. The state's key industries — Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $52,304 per year, Mississippi's Operating Engineer salaries are 20.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Mississippi (index: 0.8) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Mississippi can expect to earn $32,744–$43,784, while experienced Operating Engineers can command $68,624–$78,369.

Looking ahead, the Operating Engineer profession in Mississippi is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Agriculture continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Operating Engineer salary in Mississippi is $52,304 per year in 2026, which is 20.0% below the national average of $65,380.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Operating Engineers the highest wages in Mississippi due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Mississippi has a low job market with major industries in Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare. Opportunities exist in for Operating Engineer employment.
  • At $52,304/year, Mississippi Operating Engineer salaries are 20.0% lower than the national average of $65,380/year.