Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Indiana
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Indiana earn a median of $79,580 a year ($38.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,850 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $59,850. Indiana ranks 7th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 3.6 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,300, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Median | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| 75th percentile | $93,300 | $44.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,850 | $47.53 |
| Average (mean) | $75,300 | $36.20 |
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 | $6,631.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,315.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,060.77 |
| Weekly | $1,530.38 |
| Hourly | $38.26 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,100 | 7,930 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $98,120 | 170 |
| Evansville, IN | $84,500 | 510 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $83,460 | 340 |
| Kokomo, IN | $82,270 | 100 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $82,190 | 3,700 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $80,460 | 360 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $77,450 | 650 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $66,950 | 3,120 |
| Columbus, IN | $64,970 | 110 |
| Bloomington, IN | $62,120 | 230 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,890 | 1,920 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $61,710 | 290 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,630 | 230 |
| Muncie, IN | $59,910 | 80 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Electrician | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| Carpenter | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| Roofer | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $70,130 | $33.72 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $73,110 | $35.15 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $72,220 | $34.72 |
| Glazier | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Pipelayer | $73,580 | $35.38 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Indiana is $79,580 a year, or $38.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Indiana?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Indiana earn at least $98,850 a year. The top 25% earn $93,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,630 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $58,240 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Indiana?
About 11,520 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.