Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Texas
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Texas earn a median of $50,460 a year ($24.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 55,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,010 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $59,850. Texas ranks 43rd of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 3.9 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 $53,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| Median | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| 75th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,010 | $33.66 |
| Average (mean) | $53,740 | $25.84 |
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 | $4,205 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,102.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,940.77 |
| Weekly | $970.38 |
| Hourly | $24.26 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | $57,900 | 1,150 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $56,850 | 1,120 |
| Odessa, TX | $55,430 | 670 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $53,380 | 180 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $51,370 | 11,510 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $51,040 | 14,000 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $50,960 | 5,010 |
| Abilene, TX | $49,500 | 230 |
| Amarillo, TX | $48,850 | 490 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $48,750 | 3,980 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $48,320 | 1,160 |
| San Angelo, TX | $48,120 | 210 |
| Longview, TX | $48,030 | 750 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $47,980 | 590 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $47,860 | 180 |
| Waco, TX | $47,730 | 470 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $47,590 | 570 |
| Victoria, TX | $47,520 | 180 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $46,920 | 50 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $46,800 | 280 |
| Tyler, TX | $46,670 | 290 |
| Lubbock, TX | $46,490 | 550 |
| Laredo, TX | $46,100 | 280 |
| El Paso, TX | $45,630 | 980 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $40,190 | 330 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $39,200 | 1,010 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| Electrician | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Carpenter | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $52,240 | $25.12 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Glazier | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Roofer | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| Pipelayer | $45,620 | $21.93 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Texas is $50,460 a year, or $24.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Texas?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Texas earn at least $70,010 a year. The top 25% earn $59,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,900 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $46,120 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Texas?
About 55,540 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.