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.
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
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 period | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,320 | 750 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $49,430 | 8,360 |
| Savannah, GA | $48,810 | 720 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,350 | 300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $48,190 | 670 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $48,110 | 240 |
| Hinesville, GA | $47,510 | 60 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $46,600 | 190 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $46,430 | 490 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $46,300 | 310 |
| Albany, GA | $45,460 | 260 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $44,300 | 230 |
| Valdosta, GA | $41,500 | 190 |
| Dalton, GA | $40,860 | 200 |
| Rome, GA | $36,400 | 150 |
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.
Related jobs in Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $38,990 | $18.74 |
| Electrician | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| Carpenter | $49,350 | $23.72 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Glazier | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| Roofer | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Pipelayer | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $58,260 | $28.01 |
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.