Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Rapid City, SD
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $60,660 a year ($29.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,240 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $59,500. There are 5.6 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,880, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| 25th percentile | $52,610 | $25.29 |
| Median | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| 75th percentile | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Average (mean) | $59,880 | $28.79 |
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 | $5,055 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,527.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,333.08 |
| Weekly | $1,166.54 |
| Hourly | $29.16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,960 | 630 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,140 | 200 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Electrician | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $49,100 | $23.60 |
| Roofer | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,900 | $22.55 |
| Glazier | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Pipelayer | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $77,900 | $37.45 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $60,660 a year, or $29.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $75,240 a year. The top 25% earn $63,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,630 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $52,610 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Rapid City, SD?
About 410 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.