Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Madison, WI
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $83,060 a year ($39.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,450 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 10% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $75,280. There are 1.7 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $82,780, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,830 | $28.29 |
| 25th percentile | $65,830 | $31.65 |
| Median | $83,060 | $39.93 |
| 75th percentile | $98,720 | $47.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,450 | $49.26 |
| Average (mean) | $82,780 | $39.80 |
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 | $6,921.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,460.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,194.62 |
| Weekly | $1,597.31 |
| Hourly | $39.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WI | $90,900 | 200 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $90,320 | 280 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $83,340 | 4,270 |
| Appleton, WI | $83,010 | 480 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $79,430 | 2,070 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $77,020 | 150 |
| Green Bay, WI | $76,290 | 420 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $75,970 | 260 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,040 | 770 |
| Kenosha, WI | $73,190 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $71,560 | 160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $71,430 | 120 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $66,320 | 240 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $64,290 | 100 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $57,000 | $27.40 |
| Carpenter | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| Electrician | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Roofer | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $82,420 | $39.62 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Glazier | $82,480 | $39.65 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $93,610 | $45.01 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $92,460 | $44.45 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Madison, WI metro area is $83,060 a year, or $39.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $102,450 a year. The top 25% earn $98,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,830 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $65,830 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Madison, WI?
About 680 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.