Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,050
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,700
- 50th Percentile — Median$49,310
- 75th Percentile — Senior$57,870
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$64,450
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Carolina earn more than $49,310. The top 10% make $64,450 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,050.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 45th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $52,310 per year (21.1% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 16,580 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Carolina — 3.5% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.09: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,050; the top 10% earn over $64,450.
- Hourly equivalent: $25.15 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($77,320).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $52,310 on average, placing the state 45th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $52,310 is roughly equivalent to $57,484 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($54,810), West Virginia ($54,480), Texas ($53,740) 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 North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $77,320/yr North Carolina +47.8% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $69,070/yr North Carolina +32.0% vs this role
- Electricians $56,850/yr North Carolina +8.7% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $56,720/yr North Carolina +8.4% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $54,560/yr North Carolina +4.3% vs this role
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers $54,020/yr North Carolina +3.3% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $53,250/yr North Carolina +1.8% vs this role
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons $50,590/yr North Carolina 3.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in North Carolina?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in North Carolina is $52,310 per year (median $49,310), which is 21.1% below the national average of $66,290.
How does North Carolina rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
North Carolina ranks 45th 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 North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Carolina earn about $39,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,700.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in North Carolina?
About $25.15 per hour, based on the $52,310 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 16,580 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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