Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Missouri
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Missouri earn a median of $60,540 a year ($29.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,130 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,850. Missouri ranks 28th 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 $67,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| 25th percentile | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Median | $60,540 | $29.10 |
| 75th percentile | $84,400 | $40.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,130 | $45.25 |
| Average (mean) | $67,960 | $32.67 |
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 | $5,045 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.46 |
| Weekly | $1,164.23 |
| Hourly | $29.10 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $82,270 | 4,190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $71,140 | 410 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $64,060 | 4,110 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $62,820 | 390 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $61,480 | 130 |
| Columbia, MO | $56,770 | 310 |
| Springfield, MO | $53,340 | 530 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $53,210 | 330 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Carpenter | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Electrician | $65,410 | $31.45 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $66,790 | $32.11 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Roofer | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $72,370 | $34.80 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $69,400 | $33.37 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $78,660 | $37.82 |
| Glazier | $51,430 | $24.73 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Missouri is $60,540 a year, or $29.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Missouri?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Missouri earn at least $94,130 a year. The top 25% earn $84,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,290 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $48,290 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Missouri?
About 10,470 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.