Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Washington
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Washington earn a median of $81,700 a year ($39.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,490 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $59,850. Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. 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 $88,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| 25th percentile | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Median | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| 75th percentile | $114,640 | $55.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,490 | $60.33 |
| Average (mean) | $88,290 | $42.45 |
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 | $6,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,404.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,142.31 |
| Weekly | $1,571.15 |
| Hourly | $39.28 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $103,060 | 260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,750 | 4,860 |
| Bellingham, WA | $91,510 | 400 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $89,460 | 240 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $85,390 | 180 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $79,850 | 460 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $79,040 | 3,040 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $77,780 | 180 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,360 | 700 |
| Yakima, WA | $71,810 | 190 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $67,750 | 50 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $64,150 | 190 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $61,290 | 100 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $74,190 | $35.67 |
| Construction Laborer | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Electrician | $95,220 | $45.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $81,030 | $38.96 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Roofer | $60,640 | $29.16 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $67,750 | $32.57 |
| Taper | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Glazier | $66,860 | $32.14 |
| Pipelayer | $82,450 | $39.64 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $107,660 | $51.76 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Washington is $81,700 a year, or $39.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Washington?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Washington earn at least $125,490 a year. The top 25% earn $114,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,200 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $64,390 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Washington?
About 10,290 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.