Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $76,940 a year ($36.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,860 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is about the same as the Massachusetts statewide median of $76,820. There are 2.4 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $85,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,010 | $25.96 |
| 25th percentile | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Median | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| 75th percentile | $114,410 | $55.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,860 | $60.51 |
| Average (mean) | $85,960 | $41.33 |
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 | $6,411.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,205.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,959.23 |
| Weekly | $1,479.62 |
| Hourly | $36.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $77,050 | 1,230 |
| Springfield, MA | $73,070 | 670 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $72,920 | 400 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $69,900 | 1,570 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $66,830 | 180 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $64,460 | 150 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $60,370 | 210 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Carpenter | $75,210 | $36.16 |
| Construction Laborer | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,820 | $27.80 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $82,550 | $39.69 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $120,840 | $58.10 |
| Roofer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $96,960 | $46.62 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Glazier | $107,610 | $51.74 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $98,290 | $47.25 |
| Taper | $70,810 | $34.05 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $68,520 | $32.94 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $76,940 a year, or $36.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $125,860 a year. The top 25% earn $114,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,010 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $62,620 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 6,370 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.