Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Pennsylvania
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $60,530 a year ($29.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,930 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pennsylvania ranks 29th 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 $65,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| 25th percentile | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Median | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| 75th percentile | $77,780 | $37.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Average (mean) | $65,920 | $31.69 |
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 | $5,044.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.08 |
| Weekly | $1,164.04 |
| 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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,810 | 5,620 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,050 | 920 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $62,320 | 5,050 |
| Reading, PA | $62,290 | 590 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $61,870 | 790 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,340 | 1,010 |
| State College, PA | $60,540 | 460 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,330 | 950 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $58,800 | 280 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $58,420 | 670 |
| Erie, PA | $58,030 | 280 |
| Lebanon, PA | $55,750 | 160 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $52,960 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $51,830 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $50,890 | 230 |
| Altoona, PA | $50,790 | 230 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Carpenter | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Electrician | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Roofer | $55,710 | $26.79 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Glazier | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $70,230 | $33.77 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Pennsylvania is $60,530 a year, or $29.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Pennsylvania earn at least $94,930 a year. The top 25% earn $77,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,780 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,790 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Pennsylvania?
About 22,120 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.