Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $60,740 a year ($29.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,770 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $61,410. There are 2.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $61,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| 25th percentile | $49,220 | $23.67 |
| Median | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| 75th percentile | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Average (mean) | $61,060 | $29.36 |
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 | $5,061.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,530.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,336.15 |
| Weekly | $1,168.08 |
| Hourly | $29.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,810 | 5,620 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,660 | 6,450 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $60,930 | 230 |
| Salisbury, MD | $55,480 | 70 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $50,800 | 380 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Electrician | $65,590 | $31.54 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,200 | $30.38 |
| Carpenter | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $51,950 | $24.98 |
| Roofer | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Glazier | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $63,200 | $30.39 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,680 | $23.41 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $59,800 | $28.75 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $60,740 a year, or $29.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $77,770 a year. The top 25% earn $67,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,370 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $49,220 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 3,350 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.