Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Lawrence, KS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $60,080 a year ($28.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,860 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 16% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $51,620. There are 2.4 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $63,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| 25th percentile | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Median | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| 75th percentile | $74,830 | $35.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,860 | $44.64 |
| Average (mean) | $63,690 | $30.62 |
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 | $5,006.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,503.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,310.77 |
| Weekly | $1,155.38 |
| Hourly | $28.88 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,060 | 4,110 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $62,820 | 390 |
| Manhattan, KS | $58,080 | 360 |
| Topeka, KS | $56,760 | 530 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $53,210 | 330 |
| Wichita, KS | $49,930 | 1,150 |
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 or the Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Electrician | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $53,880 | $25.91 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $76,080 | $36.58 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, KS
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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $60,080 a year, or $28.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $92,860 a year. The top 25% earn $74,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,870 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,610 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Lawrence, KS?
About 120 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.