Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in New Jersey
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New Jersey earn a median of $89,660 a year ($43.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,330 for the top 10%. That is 50% higher than the national median of $59,850. New Jersey ranks 3rd of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.4 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $93,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,760 | $24.41 |
| 25th percentile | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Median | $89,660 | $43.11 |
| 75th percentile | $126,330 | $60.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,330 | $64.10 |
| Average (mean) | $93,270 | $44.84 |
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 | $7,471.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,735.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,448.46 |
| Weekly | $1,724.23 |
| Hourly | $43.11 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $95,050 | 11,430 |
| Vineland, NJ | $76,740 | 180 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $76,240 | 320 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $69,800 | 270 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,810 | 5,620 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,050 | 920 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Carpenter | $64,010 | $30.77 |
| Electrician | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $78,240 | $37.61 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $92,840 | $44.64 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Roofer | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $75,080 | $36.09 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $113,220 | $54.43 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Glazier | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $52,750 | $25.36 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New Jersey is $89,660 a year, or $43.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New Jersey earn at least $133,330 a year. The top 25% earn $126,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,760 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $64,100 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in New Jersey?
About 5,980 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.