Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $60,960 a year ($29.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,180 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $59,500. There are 3.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| 25th percentile | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Median | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| 75th percentile | $64,760 | $31.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Average (mean) | $62,140 | $29.88 |
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 | $5,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,540 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,344.62 |
| Weekly | $1,172.31 |
| Hourly | $29.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $83,340 | 4,270 |
| Rochester, MN | $79,580 | 290 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $79,530 | 700 |
| Mankato, MN | $78,560 | 150 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,040 | 770 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $71,430 | 120 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $61,690 | 960 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $61,520 | 370 |
| Rapid City, SD | $60,660 | 410 |
| 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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| Electrician | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| Roofer | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Pipelayer | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $59,500 | $28.60 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $60,960 a year, or $29.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $77,180 a year. The top 25% earn $64,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,310 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $56,380 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 630 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.