Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $66,950 a year ($32.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,500 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $64,940. There are 2.8 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| 25th percentile | $55,860 | $26.86 |
| Median | $66,950 | $32.19 |
| 75th percentile | $94,650 | $45.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,500 | $47.84 |
| Average (mean) | $72,760 | $34.98 |
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 | $5,579.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,789.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,575 |
| Weekly | $1,287.50 |
| Hourly | $32.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,100 | 7,930 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $98,120 | 170 |
| Evansville, IN | $84,500 | 510 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $83,460 | 340 |
| Kokomo, IN | $82,270 | 100 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $82,190 | 3,700 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $80,460 | 360 |
| Columbus, OH | $78,950 | 3,290 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $77,450 | 650 |
| Cleveland, OH | $71,740 | 2,660 |
| Mansfield, OH | $66,100 | 190 |
| Columbus, IN | $64,970 | 110 |
| Toledo, OH | $64,380 | 780 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $64,050 | 710 |
| Akron, OH | $63,920 | 830 |
| Bloomington, IN | $62,120 | 230 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,890 | 1,920 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $61,710 | 290 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,630 | 230 |
| Sandusky, OH | $60,380 | 240 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $60,180 | 300 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $60,010 | 530 |
| Muncie, IN | $59,910 | 80 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $59,210 | 420 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,000 | 460 |
| Lima, OH | $58,860 | 130 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $58,560 | 760 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $58,250 | 500 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,320 | 1,040 |
| Springfield, OH | $57,230 | 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 or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Electrician | $63,490 | $30.53 |
| Carpenter | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Roofer | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $60,680 | $29.18 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $75,700 | $36.39 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Glazier | $59,620 | $28.66 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $75,910 | $36.50 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $66,950 a year, or $32.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $99,500 a year. The top 25% earn $94,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,210 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $55,860 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 3,120 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.