Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Tucson, AZ
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $58,100 a year ($27.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,250 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 4% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $60,620. There are 2.9 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,030, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| 25th percentile | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| Median | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| 75th percentile | $61,560 | $29.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Average (mean) | $58,030 | $27.90 |
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 | $4,841.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,420.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,234.62 |
| Weekly | $1,117.31 |
| Hourly | $27.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $62,540 | 7,980 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $60,830 | 770 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $58,720 | 250 |
| Yuma, AZ | $54,270 | 180 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $51,550 | 220 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $50,470 | 140 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,060 | $21.66 |
| Carpenter | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Electrician | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Roofer | $44,040 | $21.17 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Glazier | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $55,310 | $26.59 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $50,550 | $24.30 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $58,100 a year, or $27.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $75,250 a year. The top 25% earn $61,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,160 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $47,230 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Tucson, AZ?
About 1,130 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.