Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $82,540 a year ($39.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,950 for the top 10%. That is 38% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% higher than the New York statewide median of $80,980. There are 2.2 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $87,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| 25th percentile | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Median | $82,540 | $39.68 |
| 75th percentile | $113,750 | $54.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,950 | $62.00 |
| Average (mean) | $87,970 | $42.29 |
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 | $6,878.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,439.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,174.62 |
| Weekly | $1,587.31 |
| Hourly | $39.68 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $95,050 | 11,430 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $73,650 | 950 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,240 | 590 |
| Kingston, NY | $70,370 | 150 |
| Elmira, NY | $65,760 | 70 |
| Rochester, NY | $65,720 | 910 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,810 | 700 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $62,340 | 190 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,270 | 200 |
| Binghamton, NY | $61,000 | 330 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $60,030 | 170 |
| Ithaca, NY | $54,820 | 50 |
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 or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Carpenter | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Electrician | $74,890 | $36.01 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $51,650 | $24.83 |
| Roofer | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,370 | $31.91 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $58,020 | $27.90 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| Glazier | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $57,670 | $27.73 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $49,470 | $23.79 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $82,540 a year, or $39.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $128,950 a year. The top 25% earn $113,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,020 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $60,330 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 1,000 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.