Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $73,650 a year ($35.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,540 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 9% lower than the New York statewide median of $80,980. There are 1.8 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $77,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| 25th percentile | $57,450 | $27.62 |
| Median | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| 75th percentile | $92,600 | $44.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,540 | $55.07 |
| Average (mean) | $77,990 | $37.50 |
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 | $6,137.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,068.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,832.69 |
| Weekly | $1,416.35 |
| Hourly | $35.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $95,050 | 11,430 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $82,540 | 1,000 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,240 | 590 |
| Kingston, NY | $70,370 | 150 |
| Elmira, NY | $65,760 | 70 |
| Rochester, NY | $65,720 | 910 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,810 | 700 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $62,340 | 190 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,270 | 200 |
| Binghamton, NY | $61,000 | 330 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $60,030 | 170 |
| Ithaca, NY | $54,820 | 50 |
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 York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Carpenter | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Electrician | $77,930 | $37.47 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Roofer | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $72,580 | $34.89 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $76,800 | $36.92 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $57,910 | $27.84 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Glazier | $60,060 | $28.87 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $58,310 | $28.04 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $73,650 a year, or $35.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $114,540 a year. The top 25% earn $92,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,170 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $57,450 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 950 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.