Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$64,390
- 50th Percentile — Median$81,700
- 75th Percentile — Senior$114,640
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$125,490
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Washington earn more than $81,700. The top 10% make $125,490 or more, while entry-level workers start around $57,200.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 6th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $88,290 per year (33.2% above the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 10,290 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Washington — 2.2% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.94: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,200; the top 10% earn over $125,490.
- Hourly equivalent: $42.45 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in Washington, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($115,800).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $88,290 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $88,290 is roughly equivalent to $70,632 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($94,000), New Jersey ($93,270), New York ($90,690) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $115,800/yr Washington +31.2% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $101,200/yr Washington +14.6% vs this role
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers $98,420/yr Washington +11.5% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $98,300/yr Washington +11.3% vs this role
- Electricians $94,470/yr Washington +7.0% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $93,070/yr Washington +5.4% vs this role
- Pipelayers $90,790/yr Washington +2.8% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $88,800/yr Washington +0.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Washington?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Washington is $88,290 per year (median $81,700), which is 33.2% above the national average of $66,290.
How does Washington rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
Washington ranks 6th 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 Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Washington earn about $57,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,390.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in Washington?
About $42.45 per hour, based on the $88,290 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Washington?
BLS counts 10,290 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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