📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Operating Engineer Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania · 1.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$64,726
per year
Median
$59,954
per year
Hourly
$31.12
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$40,520
25th Percentile — Junior$54,182
50th Percentile — Median$59,954
75th Percentile — Senior$84,922
90th Percentile — Top Earners$96,982
💡 Top-earning Operating Engineers in Pennsylvania make up to $96,982 per year. The job market in Pennsylvania is rated strong, with key industries including Healthcare, Education, Finance.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$54.5k
2021
$56.4k
2022
$58.4k
2023
$60.4k
2024
$62.5k
2025
$64.7k
2026
📈 Operating Engineer salaries in Pennsylvania have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Pennsylvania's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Operating Engineer Salary by City in Pennsylvania
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Philadelphia $69,904 +8.0% High
Pittsburgh $63,431 -2.0% High
🔍
Operating Engineer Job Market in Pennsylvania
Key factors affecting compensation

Pennsylvania is home to a strong job market for Operating Engineers. The state's key industries — Healthcare, Education, Finance — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $64,726 per year, Pennsylvania's Operating Engineer salaries are 1.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Pennsylvania (index: 0.99) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Pennsylvania can expect to earn $40,520–$54,182, while experienced Operating Engineers can command $84,922–$96,982.

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

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Operating Engineer salary in Pennsylvania is $64,726 per year in 2026, which is 1.0% below the national average of $65,380.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Operating Engineers the highest wages in Pennsylvania due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Pennsylvania has a strong job market with major industries in Healthcare, Education, Finance. This makes it one of the better states for Operating Engineer employment.
  • At $64,726/year, Pennsylvania Operating Engineer salaries are 1.0% lower than the national average of $65,380/year.