Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $62,540 a year ($30.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,220 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $60,620. 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 $63,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| 25th percentile | $52,400 | $25.19 |
| Median | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| 75th percentile | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| 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 | $5,211.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,605.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,405.38 |
| Weekly | $1,202.69 |
| Hourly | $30.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $60,830 | 770 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $58,720 | 250 |
| Tucson, AZ | $58,100 | 1,130 |
| Yuma, AZ | $54,270 | 180 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $51,550 | 220 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $50,470 | 140 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,910 | $22.56 |
| Electrician | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Carpenter | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Roofer | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Glazier | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $52,270 | $25.13 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $49,700 | $23.90 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $51,200 | $24.61 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $59,390 | $28.55 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $62,540 a year, or $30.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $81,220 a year. The top 25% earn $67,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,660 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $52,400 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 7,980 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.