Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $64,080 a year ($30.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,900 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $62,620. There are 3.2 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| 25th percentile | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| Median | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| 75th percentile | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,900 | $38.42 |
| Average (mean) | $67,120 | $32.27 |
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 | $5,340 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,670 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,464.62 |
| Weekly | $1,232.31 |
| Hourly | $30.81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $71,060 | 190 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $64,650 | 600 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $61,660 | 1,030 |
| Pueblo, CO | $61,130 | 310 |
| Greeley, CO | $60,690 | 1,550 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $57,700 | 390 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| Carpenter | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Roofer | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Glazier | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $64,260 | $30.89 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,620 | $29.63 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $51,740 | $24.87 |
| Pipelayer | $63,410 | $30.49 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $59,620 | $28.66 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $64,080 a year, or $30.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $79,900 a year. The top 25% earn $76,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,470 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $60,990 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 5,150 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.