Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Nebraska
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,620
- 25th Percentile — Junior$47,940
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,360
- 75th Percentile — Senior$63,480
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$75,700
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Nebraska earn more than $58,360. The top 10% make $75,700 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,620.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Nebraska: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Nebraska ranks 36th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $58,240 per year (12.1% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 3,180 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Nebraska — 0.7% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.01: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in Nebraska than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,620; the top 10% earn over $75,700.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.0 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in Nebraska, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($76,900).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Nebraska
Key factors affecting compensation
Nebraska's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $58,240 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Nebraska salary of $58,240 is roughly equivalent to $66,182 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($60,310), South Dakota ($59,330), Kentucky ($59,320) 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 Nebraska
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $76,900/yr Nebraska +32.0% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $67,250/yr Nebraska +15.5% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $67,100/yr Nebraska +15.2% vs this role
- Carpet Installers $66,420/yr Nebraska +14.0% vs this role
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers $66,290/yr Nebraska +13.8% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $65,710/yr Nebraska +12.8% vs this role
- Insulation Workers $65,030/yr Nebraska +11.7% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $64,390/yr Nebraska +10.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Nebraska?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Nebraska is $58,240 per year (median $58,360), which is 12.1% below the national average of $66,290.
How does Nebraska rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
Nebraska ranks 36th 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 Nebraska?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Nebraska earn about $44,620 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,940.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in Nebraska?
About $28.0 per hour, based on the $58,240 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Nebraska?
BLS counts 3,180 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Nebraska (OEWS May 2025).
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