Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Montana
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Montana earn a median of $61,580 a year ($29.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,880 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $59,850. Montana ranks 24th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 7.3 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| 25th percentile | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Median | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| 75th percentile | $72,130 | $34.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,880 | $38.41 |
| Average (mean) | $63,350 | $30.46 |
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 | $5,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,368.46 |
| Weekly | $1,184.23 |
| Hourly | $29.61 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $68,160 | 530 |
| Missoula, MT | $64,050 | 310 |
| Helena, MT | $62,570 | 220 |
| Great Falls, MT | $62,090 | 170 |
| Billings, MT | $61,990 | 540 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| Carpenter | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Electrician | $76,760 | $36.90 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $58,290 | $28.03 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,620 | $29.63 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Glazier | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Roofer | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $55,920 | $26.89 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| Stonemason | $61,040 | $29.35 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Montana is $61,580 a year, or $29.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Montana earn at least $79,880 a year. The top 25% earn $72,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,130 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $56,310 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Montana?
About 3,750 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.