BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania

$65,920 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$31.69 per hour

▼ 0.6% below U.S. average23rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$65,920per year
Median$60,530per year
Hourly$31.69per hour
10th – 90th percentile$46,780 – $94,930per year

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Pennsylvania

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,780
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$50,790
  • 50th Percentile — Median$60,530
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$77,780
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$94,930

Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania earn more than $60,530. The top 10% make $94,930 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,780.

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Pennsylvania ranks 23rd of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $65,920 per year (0.6% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
  • 22,120 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania — 4.6% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.19: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in Pennsylvania than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,780; the top 10% earn over $94,930.
  • Hourly equivalent: $31.69 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
  • Among construction jobs in Pennsylvania, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($89,590).

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Pennsylvania

Key factors affecting compensation

Pennsylvania's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Finance, and its job market is rated strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $65,920 on average, placing the state 23rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.99 (U.S. = 1.00), a Pennsylvania salary of $65,920 is roughly equivalent to $66,586 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($67,960), New Hampshire ($67,270), Wyoming ($67,010) 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

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

The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Pennsylvania is $65,920 per year (median $60,530), which is 0.6% below the national average of $66,290.

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

Pennsylvania ranks 23rd 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 Pennsylvania?

The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania earn about $46,780 per year and the 25th percentile is $50,790.

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

About $31.69 per hour, based on the $65,920 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Pennsylvania?

BLS counts 22,120 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Pennsylvania (OEWS May 2025).

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