Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in North Carolina
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in North Carolina earn a median of $49,310 a year ($23.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,450 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $59,850. North Carolina ranks 45th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 3.4 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,050 | $18.78 |
| 25th percentile | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Median | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| 75th percentile | $57,870 | $27.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,450 | $30.98 |
| Average (mean) | $52,310 | $25.15 |
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 | $4,109.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,054.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,896.54 |
| Weekly | $948.27 |
| Hourly | $23.71 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,060 | 2,150 |
| Burlington, NC | $51,570 | 200 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $51,110 | 3,080 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,870 | 4,440 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $50,820 | 480 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $50,210 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,310 | 1,080 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,640 | 170 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $48,390 | 440 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,970 | 510 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,940 | 210 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,910 | 790 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,590 | 770 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,340 | 370 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $47,180 | 220 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $46,930 | 180 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Electrician | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Carpenter | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Pipelayer | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Roofer | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,080 | $21.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Carolina is $49,310 a year, or $23.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Carolina earn at least $64,450 a year. The top 25% earn $57,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,050 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $45,700 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in North Carolina?
About 16,580 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.