Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn a median of $48,190 a year ($23.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,040 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 1% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $47,880. There are 2.9 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| 25th percentile | $43,570 | $20.95 |
| Median | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| 75th percentile | $57,870 | $27.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,040 | $32.23 |
| Average (mean) | $51,440 | $24.73 |
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 | $4,015.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,007.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,853.46 |
| Weekly | $926.73 |
| Hourly | $23.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,870 | 4,440 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $50,740 | 320 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $50,640 | 1,470 |
| Sumter, SC | $50,340 | 220 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,320 | 750 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $49,430 | 8,360 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $48,980 | 1,130 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $48,940 | 650 |
| Savannah, GA | $48,810 | 720 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,410 | 1,120 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,350 | 300 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $48,110 | 240 |
| Florence, SC | $48,000 | 250 |
| Hinesville, GA | $47,510 | 60 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $47,000 | 980 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $46,600 | 190 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $46,430 | 490 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $46,300 | 310 |
| Albany, GA | $45,460 | 260 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $44,300 | 230 |
| Valdosta, GA | $41,500 | 190 |
| Dalton, GA | $40,860 | 200 |
| Rome, GA | $36,400 | 150 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| Electrician | $59,660 | $28.69 |
| Carpenter | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,350 | $22.29 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $41,090 | $19.75 |
| Roofer | $41,430 | $19.92 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $56,900 | $27.35 |
| Pipelayer | $44,560 | $21.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $74,360 | $35.75 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $44,710 | $21.50 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
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 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area is $48,190 a year, or $23.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn at least $67,040 a year. The top 25% earn $57,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,710 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $43,570 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
About 670 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.