Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area earn a median of $48,700 a year ($23.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,220 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the Mississippi statewide median of $47,410. 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 $50,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| 25th percentile | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Median | $48,700 | $23.42 |
| 75th percentile | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,220 | $34.24 |
| Average (mean) | $50,050 | $24.06 |
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 | $4,058.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,029.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,873.08 |
| Weekly | $936.54 |
| Hourly | $23.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,870 | 1,140 |
| Jackson, MS | $47,340 | 870 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $47,030 | 180 |
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 Mississippi statewide figures.
Related jobs in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,040 | $30.31 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Carpenter | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Glazier | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Pipelayer | $41,920 | $20.16 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $53,600 | $25.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $48,160 | $23.15 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
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 Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area is $48,700 a year, or $23.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area earn at least $71,220 a year. The top 25% earn $57,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,960 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $39,620 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
About 510 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area, not counting the self-employed.