Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Illinois
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Illinois earn a median of $97,740 a year ($46.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,330 for the top 10%. That is 63% higher than the national median of $59,850. Illinois ranks 2nd of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.0 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $90,500, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| 25th percentile | $69,230 | $33.28 |
| Median | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| 75th percentile | $109,320 | $52.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,330 | $59.30 |
| Average (mean) | $90,500 | $43.51 |
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 | $8,145 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,072.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,759.23 |
| Weekly | $1,879.62 |
| Hourly | $46.99 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,100 | 7,930 |
| Decatur, IL | $100,520 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $97,250 | 260 |
| Bloomington, IL | $96,250 | 180 |
| Springfield, IL | $95,310 | 210 |
| Kankakee, IL | $94,270 | 90 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $92,900 | 160 |
| Peoria, IL | $86,440 | 330 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $82,270 | 4,190 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,850 | 570 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $61,480 | 130 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,000 | 460 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Electrician | $99,560 | $47.87 |
| Carpenter | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Roofer | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| Glazier | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $100,400 | $48.27 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $73,060 | $35.13 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Illinois is $97,740 a year, or $46.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Illinois earn at least $123,330 a year. The top 25% earn $109,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,770 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $69,230 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Illinois?
About 12,290 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.