Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Cleveland, OH
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $71,740 a year ($34.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 10% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $64,940. There are 2.6 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Median | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| 75th percentile | $94,910 | $45.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Average (mean) | $74,690 | $35.91 |
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 | $5,978.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,989.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,759.23 |
| Weekly | $1,379.62 |
| Hourly | $34.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,740 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $78,950 | 3,290 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $66,950 | 3,120 |
| Mansfield, OH | $66,100 | 190 |
| Toledo, OH | $64,380 | 780 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $64,050 | 710 |
| Akron, OH | $63,920 | 830 |
| Sandusky, OH | $60,380 | 240 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $60,010 | 530 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $59,210 | 420 |
| Lima, OH | $58,860 | 130 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $58,250 | 500 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,320 | 1,040 |
| Springfield, OH | $57,230 | 100 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $51,290 | 310 |
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 Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Electrician | $70,860 | $34.07 |
| Carpenter | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Roofer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Glazier | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $58,950 | $28.34 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $71,740 a year, or $34.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $99,760 a year. The top 25% earn $94,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,000 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $57,680 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Cleveland, OH?
About 2,660 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.