Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Alabama
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Alabama earn a median of $47,520 a year ($22.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,690 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $59,850. Alabama ranks 49th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 4.6 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| 25th percentile | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Median | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| 75th percentile | $57,540 | $27.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,690 | $32.54 |
| Average (mean) | $50,680 | $24.36 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,960 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,980 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,827.69 |
| Weekly | $913.85 |
| Hourly | $22.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $54,330 | 2,070 |
| Decatur, AL | $49,470 | 290 |
| Huntsville, AL | $49,110 | 1,100 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $47,710 | 650 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,450 | 350 |
| Mobile, AL | $47,400 | 990 |
| Dothan, AL | $47,120 | 200 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $47,000 | 360 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $46,850 | 260 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $46,430 | 490 |
| Montgomery, AL | $44,860 | 580 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $42,020 | 240 |
| Gadsden, AL | $36,910 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Electrician | $55,690 | $26.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Carpenter | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Roofer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $41,880 | $20.14 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Pipelayer | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers | $43,640 | $20.98 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Alabama?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Alabama is $47,520 a year, or $22.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Alabama earn at least $67,690 a year. The top 25% earn $57,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,230 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $39,780 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Alabama?
About 9,640 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.