BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Ohio

$71,830 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$34.53 per hour

▲ 8.4% above U.S. average17th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$71,830per year
Median$64,940per year
Hourly$34.53per hour
10th – 90th percentile$46,850 – $98,100per year

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Ohio

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,850
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$54,430
  • 50th Percentile — Median$64,940
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$92,930
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$98,100

Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Ohio earn more than $64,940. The top 10% make $98,100 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,850.

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Ohio: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Ohio ranks 17th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $71,830 per year (8.4% above the U.S. average of $66,290).
  • 16,920 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Ohio — 3.5% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.99: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are less concentrated in Ohio than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,850; the top 10% earn over $98,100.
  • Hourly equivalent: $34.53 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
  • Among construction jobs in Ohio, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($82,100).

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Ohio

Key factors affecting compensation

Ohio's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, and its job market is rated moderate. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $71,830 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Ohio salary of $71,830 is roughly equivalent to $81,625 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($76,470), Nevada ($76,050), Indiana ($75,300) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Ohio?

The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Ohio is $71,830 per year (median $64,940), which is 8.4% above the national average of $66,290.

How does Ohio rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?

Ohio ranks 17th 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 Ohio?

The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Ohio earn about $46,850 per year and the 25th percentile is $54,430.

How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in Ohio?

About $34.53 per hour, based on the $71,830 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Ohio?

BLS counts 16,920 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Ohio (OEWS May 2025).

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