Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Erie, PA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Erie, PA metro area earn a median of $58,030 a year ($27.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,570 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 4% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $60,530. There are 2.3 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $61,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Erie, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| 25th percentile | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Median | $58,030 | $27.90 |
| 75th percentile | $68,610 | $32.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,570 | $39.22 |
| Average (mean) | $61,820 | $29.72 |
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 | $4,835.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,417.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,231.92 |
| Weekly | $1,115.96 |
| Hourly | $27.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,050 | 920 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $62,320 | 5,050 |
| Reading, PA | $62,290 | 590 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $61,870 | 790 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,340 | 1,010 |
| State College, PA | $60,540 | 460 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,330 | 950 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $58,800 | 280 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $58,420 | 670 |
| Lebanon, PA | $55,750 | 160 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $52,960 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $51,830 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $50,890 | 230 |
| Altoona, PA | $50,790 | 230 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Erie, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Carpenter | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Electrician | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $66,410 | $31.93 |
| Roofer | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,620 | $22.90 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| Glazier | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $56,210 | $27.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Erie, PA
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 Erie, PA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Erie, PA metro area is $58,030 a year, or $27.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Erie, PA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Erie, PA metro area earn at least $81,570 a year. The top 25% earn $68,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Erie, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,510 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,790 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Erie, PA?
About 280 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Erie, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.