Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Minnesota
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Minnesota earn a median of $79,130 a year ($38.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,930 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $59,850. Minnesota ranks 8th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 2.9 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,070, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,960 | $26.91 |
| 25th percentile | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Median | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| 75th percentile | $95,740 | $46.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,930 | $49.01 |
| Average (mean) | $79,070 | $38.01 |
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 | $6,594.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,297.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,043.46 |
| Weekly | $1,521.73 |
| Hourly | $38.04 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $83,340 | 4,270 |
| Rochester, MN | $79,580 | 290 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $79,530 | 700 |
| Mankato, MN | $78,560 | 150 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,040 | 770 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $71,430 | 120 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $61,690 | 960 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $61,520 | 370 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,960 | 630 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Carpenter | $64,930 | $31.22 |
| Electrician | $78,160 | $37.58 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $94,410 | $45.39 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $72,970 | $35.08 |
| Roofer | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $54,350 | $26.13 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,290 | $29.46 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $70,560 | $33.92 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Minnesota is $79,130 a year, or $38.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Minnesota earn at least $101,930 a year. The top 25% earn $95,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,960 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $63,310 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Minnesota?
About 8,590 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.