Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,870
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,040
- 50th Percentile — Median$57,160
- 75th Percentile — Senior$63,330
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,250
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Virginia earn more than $57,160. The top 10% make $78,250 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,870.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 35th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $58,400 per year (11.9% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 12,100 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Virginia — 2.5% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.96: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are less concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,870; the top 10% earn over $78,250.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.08 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in Virginia, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($81,790).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $58,400 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $58,400 is roughly equivalent to $53,091 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Delaware ($60,690), Vermont ($60,310), South Dakota ($59,330) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $81,790/yr Virginia +40.1% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $76,220/yr Virginia +30.5% vs this role
- Electricians $67,850/yr Virginia +16.2% vs this role
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons $61,520/yr Virginia +5.3% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $60,650/yr Virginia +3.9% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $59,520/yr Virginia +1.9% vs this role
- Glaziers $57,320/yr Virginia 1.8% vs this role
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers $56,050/yr Virginia 4.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Virginia?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Virginia is $58,400 per year (median $57,160), which is 11.9% below the national average of $66,290.
How does Virginia rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
Virginia ranks 35th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Virginia earn about $40,870 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,040.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in Virginia?
About $28.08 per hour, based on the $58,400 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Virginia?
BLS counts 12,100 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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