Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Colorado
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,480
- 25th Percentile — Junior$57,700
- 50th Percentile — Median$62,620
- 75th Percentile — Senior$73,670
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,870
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Colorado earn more than $62,620. The top 10% make $78,870 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,480.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Colorado: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Colorado ranks 24th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $64,550 per year (2.6% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 11,700 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Colorado — 2.4% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.32: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,480; the top 10% earn over $78,870.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in Colorado, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($87,220).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation
Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $64,550 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $64,550 is roughly equivalent to $58,682 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Hampshire ($67,270), Wyoming ($67,010), Michigan ($66,920) are the closest alternatives for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in Colorado
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $87,220/yr Colorado +35.1% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $83,300/yr Colorado +29.0% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $69,090/yr Colorado +7.0% vs this role
- Electricians $66,310/yr Colorado +2.7% vs this role
- Carpenters $66,190/yr Colorado +2.5% vs this role
- Glaziers $64,630/yr Colorado +0.1% vs this role
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons $63,860/yr Colorado 1.1% vs this role
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers $61,940/yr Colorado 4.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Colorado?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Colorado is $64,550 per year (median $62,620), which is 2.6% below the national average of $66,290.
How does Colorado rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
Colorado ranks 24th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($102,020/yr).
How much do entry-level Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make in Colorado?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Colorado earn about $49,480 per year and the 25th percentile is $57,700.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in Colorado?
About $31.03 per hour, based on the $64,550 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Colorado?
BLS counts 11,700 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).
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