Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $60,020 a year ($28.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,920 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $58,360. There are 2.8 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,870 | $22.54 |
| 25th percentile | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Median | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| 75th percentile | $65,600 | $31.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Average (mean) | $61,090 | $29.37 |
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 | $5,001.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,500.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,308.46 |
| Weekly | $1,154.23 |
| Hourly | $28.86 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,770 | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,850 | 570 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,310 | 490 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,610 | 1,260 |
| Ames, IA | $62,400 | 190 |
| Dubuque, IA | $62,250 | 160 |
| Lincoln, NE | $60,810 | 490 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,530 | 210 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,140 | 200 |
| Grand Island, NE | $55,020 | 120 |
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 or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Electrician | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| Carpenter | $52,800 | $25.39 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Roofer | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $56,430 | $27.13 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $74,430 | $35.79 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Glazier | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Pipelayer | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $44,720 | $21.50 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $60,020 a year, or $28.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $77,920 a year. The top 25% earn $65,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,870 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,200 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 1,380 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.