Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in North Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,840
- 25th Percentile — Junior$58,180
- 50th Percentile — Median$62,150
- 75th Percentile — Senior$76,430
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,570
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Dakota earn more than $62,150. The top 10% make $100,570 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,840.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Dakota ranks 18th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $68,640 per year (3.5% above the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 4,890 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Dakota — 1.0% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 3.70: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in North Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,840; the top 10% earn over $100,570.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.0 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in North Dakota, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($94,560).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in North Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
North Dakota's key industries are Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $68,640 on average, placing the state 18th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Dakota salary of $68,640 is roughly equivalent to $74,609 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nevada ($76,050), Indiana ($75,300), Rhode Island ($72,470) 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 Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $94,560/yr North Dakota +37.8% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $78,490/yr North Dakota +14.4% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $77,890/yr North Dakota +13.5% vs this role
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons $71,680/yr North Dakota +4.4% vs this role
- Electricians $70,460/yr North Dakota +2.7% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $66,540/yr North Dakota 3.1% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $66,160/yr North Dakota 3.6% vs this role
- Glaziers $58,250/yr North Dakota 15.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in North Dakota?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in North Dakota is $68,640 per year (median $62,150), which is 3.5% above the national average of $66,290.
How does North Dakota rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
North Dakota ranks 18th 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 Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in North Dakota earn about $49,840 per year and the 25th percentile is $58,180.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in North Dakota?
About $33.0 per hour, based on the $68,640 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in North Dakota?
BLS counts 4,890 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in North Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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