Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Virginia
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Virginia earn a median of $57,160 a year ($27.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,250 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $59,850. Virginia ranks 36th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. 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 $58,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,870 | $19.65 |
| 25th percentile | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Median | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| 75th percentile | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,250 | $37.62 |
| Average (mean) | $58,400 | $28.08 |
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 | $4,763.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,381.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,198.46 |
| Weekly | $1,099.23 |
| Hourly | $27.48 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,660 | 6,450 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $59,790 | 310 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,960 | 770 |
| Richmond, VA | $55,280 | 2,220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,060 | 2,150 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $50,790 | 260 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $50,100 | 230 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $50,030 | n/a |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $49,670 | 260 |
| Roanoke, VA | $49,010 | 480 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,750 | 160 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $43,560 | $20.94 |
| Electrician | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| Carpenter | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $52,220 | $25.10 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,930 | $24.49 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $55,840 | $26.84 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Roofer | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Pipelayer | $48,700 | $23.41 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Virginia is $57,160 a year, or $27.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Virginia earn at least $78,250 a year. The top 25% earn $63,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,870 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $48,040 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Virginia?
About 12,100 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.