Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Albuquerque, NM
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $51,160 a year ($24.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,530 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $52,000. There are 3.3 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| 25th percentile | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Median | $51,160 | $24.59 |
| 75th percentile | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| Average (mean) | $54,370 | $26.14 |
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 | $4,263.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,131.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,967.69 |
| Weekly | $983.85 |
| Hourly | $24.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | $55,180 | 480 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $52,000 | 140 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $48,890 | 440 |
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Electrician | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Carpenter | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Roofer | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,210 | $22.21 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Glazier | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,260 | $23.20 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $51,160 a year, or $24.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $67,530 a year. The top 25% earn $60,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,600 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $47,820 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 1,330 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.