Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Columbus, OH
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $78,950 a year ($37.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,390 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 22% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $64,940. There are 3.0 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,470, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| 25th percentile | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Median | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| 75th percentile | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,390 | $47.79 |
| Average (mean) | $78,470 | $37.72 |
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 | $6,579.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,289.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,036.54 |
| Weekly | $1,518.27 |
| Hourly | $37.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $71,740 | 2,660 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $66,950 | 3,120 |
| Mansfield, OH | $66,100 | 190 |
| Toledo, OH | $64,380 | 780 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $64,050 | 710 |
| Akron, OH | $63,920 | 830 |
| Sandusky, OH | $60,380 | 240 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $60,010 | 530 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $59,210 | 420 |
| Lima, OH | $58,860 | 130 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $58,250 | 500 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,320 | 1,040 |
| Springfield, OH | $57,230 | 100 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $51,290 | 310 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Carpenter | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,260 | $30.41 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $51,810 | $24.91 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,760 | $37.39 |
| Roofer | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,450 | $31.47 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Pipelayer | $71,560 | $34.41 |
| Glazier | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $80,000 | $38.46 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $78,950 a year, or $37.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $99,390 a year. The top 25% earn $95,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,610 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $62,050 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Columbus, OH?
About 3,290 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.