Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $62,610 a year ($30.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,970 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,330. There are 3.1 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| 25th percentile | $58,290 | $28.03 |
| Median | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| 75th percentile | $78,250 | $37.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,970 | $39.89 |
| Average (mean) | $66,340 | $31.89 |
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 | $5,217.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,608.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,408.08 |
| Weekly | $1,204.04 |
| Hourly | $30.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,770 | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,850 | 570 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,310 | 490 |
| Ames, IA | $62,400 | 190 |
| Dubuque, IA | $62,250 | 160 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,530 | 210 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $60,020 | 1,380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,140 | 200 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Electrician | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Roofer | $49,510 | $23.80 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Glazier | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Taper | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $63,200 | $30.39 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $62,610 a year, or $30.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $82,970 a year. The top 25% earn $78,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,710 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $58,290 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,260 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.