Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Iowa
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Iowa earn a median of $60,330 a year ($29.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,460 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,850. Iowa ranks 30th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 3.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,690 | $22.45 |
| 25th percentile | $53,610 | $25.77 |
| Median | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| 75th percentile | $72,660 | $34.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Average (mean) | $63,770 | $30.66 |
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 | $5,027.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,513.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,320.38 |
| Weekly | $1,160.19 |
| Hourly | $29.01 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,770 | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,850 | 570 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,310 | 490 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,610 | 1,260 |
| Ames, IA | $62,400 | 190 |
| Dubuque, IA | $62,250 | 160 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,530 | 210 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $60,020 | 1,380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,140 | 200 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Electrician | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Carpenter | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Roofer | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Glazier | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,440 | $33.38 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Pipelayer | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $54,350 | $26.13 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Iowa is $60,330 a year, or $29.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Iowa earn at least $87,460 a year. The top 25% earn $72,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,690 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $53,610 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Iowa?
About 5,530 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.