Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Georgia

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Georgia earn a median of $47,880 a year ($23.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,700 workers.

Median salary
$47,880
Hourly
$23.02
Average
$49,660
Top 10% earn
$62,840
Workers
15,700

Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,840 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $59,850. Georgia ranks 48th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. 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 $49,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.

Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Georgia

$0$110,000
Pay levelYearlyHourly
10th percentile (entry level)$37,810$18.18
25th percentile$41,670$20.03
Median$47,880$23.02
75th percentile$56,940$27.38
90th percentile (top earners)$62,840$30.21
Average (mean)$49,660$23.88

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 periodAmount
Monthly$3,990
Semi-monthly (24 a year)$1,995
Biweekly (26 a year)$1,841.54
Weekly$920.77
Hourly$23.02

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 cities in Georgia

Metro areaMedian salaryWorkers
Chattanooga, TN-GA$50,320750
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$49,4308,360
Savannah, GA$48,810720
Gainesville, GA$48,350300
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC$48,190670
Warner Robins, GA$48,110240
Hinesville, GA$47,51060
Brunswick-St. Simons, GA$46,600190
Columbus, GA-AL$46,430490
Macon-Bibb County, GA$46,300310
Albany, GA$45,460260
Athens-Clarke County, GA$44,300230
Valdosta, GA$41,500190
Dalton, GA$40,860200
Rome, GA$36,400150

Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

StateMedian 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.

Related jobs in Georgia

More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Georgia

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 Georgia?

The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Georgia is $47,880 a year, or $23.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,840 for the top 10%.

How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Georgia?

The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Georgia earn at least $62,840 a year. The top 25% earn $56,940 or more.

What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Georgia?

Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,810 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $41,670 or less.

How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Georgia?

About 15,700 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.