Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Salem, OR
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $74,270 a year ($35.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,310 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 1% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $73,430. There are 4.0 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| 25th percentile | $61,620 | $29.63 |
| Median | $74,270 | $35.71 |
| 75th percentile | $94,540 | $45.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,310 | $56.40 |
| Average (mean) | $78,810 | $37.89 |
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 | $6,189.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,094.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,856.54 |
| Weekly | $1,428.27 |
| Hourly | $35.71 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $79,040 | 3,040 |
| Albany, OR | $68,080 | 150 |
| Bend, OR | $67,520 | 580 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $65,390 | 330 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $63,920 | 90 |
| Medford, OR | $62,410 | 270 |
| Corvallis, OR | $61,780 | 60 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $59,730 | $28.71 |
| Construction Laborer | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Electrician | $98,850 | $47.53 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| Roofer | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Glazier | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $92,110 | $44.29 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $60,290 | $28.99 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $57,140 | $27.47 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Salem, OR metro area is $74,270 a year, or $35.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $117,310 a year. The top 25% earn $94,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,490 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $61,620 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Salem, OR?
About 750 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.