Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,540
- 25th Percentile — Junior$65,450
- 50th Percentile — Median$74,610
- 75th Percentile — Senior$86,280
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$98,270
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in District of Columbia earn more than $74,610. The top 10% make $98,270 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,540.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 13th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $76,470 per year (15.4% above the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 620 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in District of Columbia — 0.1% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.29: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are less concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,540; the top 10% earn over $98,270.
- Hourly equivalent: $36.76 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in District of Columbia, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($93,780).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $76,470 on average, placing the state 13th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $76,470 is roughly equivalent to $50,309 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($82,680), Oregon ($79,270), Minnesota ($79,070) 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $93,780/yr District of Columbia +22.6% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $93,030/yr District of Columbia +21.7% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $91,200/yr District of Columbia +19.3% vs this role
- Electricians $88,860/yr District of Columbia +16.2% vs this role
- Pipelayers $80,320/yr District of Columbia +5.0% vs this role
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons $75,410/yr District of Columbia 1.4% vs this role
- Glaziers $73,890/yr District of Columbia 3.4% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $69,290/yr District of Columbia 9.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in District of Columbia?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in District of Columbia is $76,470 per year (median $74,610), which is 15.4% above the national average of $66,290.
How does District of Columbia rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
District of Columbia ranks 13th 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 District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in District of Columbia earn about $50,540 per year and the 25th percentile is $65,450.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $36.76 per hour, based on the $76,470 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 620 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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