Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Rhode Island
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Rhode Island earn a median of $63,610 a year ($30.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,870 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $59,850. Rhode Island ranks 17th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 1.9 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $72,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| 25th percentile | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Median | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| 75th percentile | $83,820 | $40.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,870 | $47.54 |
| Average (mean) | $72,470 | $34.84 |
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 | $5,300.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,650.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,446.54 |
| Weekly | $1,223.27 |
| Hourly | $30.58 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $69,900 | 1,570 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Electrician | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Construction Laborer | $57,240 | $27.52 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $76,470 | $36.77 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $41,590 | $20.00 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $65,100 | $31.30 |
| Roofer | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $98,320 | $47.27 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,950 | $30.26 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| Glazier | $61,650 | $29.64 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $77,150 | $37.09 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Rhode Island is $63,610 a year, or $30.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Rhode Island earn at least $98,870 a year. The top 25% earn $83,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,460 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $61,660 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Rhode Island?
About 970 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.