Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,130
- 25th Percentile — Junior$56,310
- 50th Percentile — Median$61,580
- 75th Percentile — Senior$72,130
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$79,880
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Montana earn more than $61,580. The top 10% make $79,880 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,130.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 27th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $63,350 per year (4.4% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 3,750 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Montana — 0.8% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 2.38: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,130; the top 10% earn over $79,880.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.46 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in Montana, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($79,770).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $63,350 on average, placing the state 27th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $63,350 is roughly equivalent to $66,684 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($65,920), Colorado ($64,550), Idaho ($63,920) 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 Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $79,770/yr Montana +25.9% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $78,190/yr Montana +23.4% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $75,210/yr Montana +18.7% vs this role
- Electricians $71,930/yr Montana +13.5% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $64,660/yr Montana +2.1% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $64,530/yr Montana +1.9% vs this role
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $62,150/yr Montana 1.9% vs this role
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers $59,910/yr Montana 5.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Montana?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Montana is $63,350 per year (median $61,580), which is 4.4% below the national average of $66,290.
How does Montana rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
Montana ranks 27th 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 Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Montana earn about $48,130 per year and the 25th percentile is $56,310.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in Montana?
About $30.46 per hour, based on the $63,350 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Montana?
BLS counts 3,750 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data