Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $68,130 a year ($32.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,920 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 9% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $62,690. There are 2.0 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $69,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| 25th percentile | $54,820 | $26.36 |
| Median | $68,130 | $32.76 |
| 75th percentile | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,920 | $45.16 |
| Average (mean) | $69,390 | $33.36 |
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 | $5,677.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,838.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,620.38 |
| Weekly | $1,310.19 |
| Hourly | $32.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $80,460 | 360 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $78,020 | 150 |
| Bay City, MI | $75,310 | 140 |
| Flint, MI | $75,140 | 240 |
| Midland, MI | $65,710 | 120 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $63,850 | 900 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $62,490 | 170 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $61,730 | 190 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $61,390 | 480 |
| Traverse City, MI | $61,200 | 280 |
| Monroe, MI | $60,910 | 140 |
| Jackson, MI | $59,860 | 160 |
| Saginaw, MI | $59,830 | 170 |
| Niles, MI | $59,670 | 130 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $59,660 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Electrician | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Carpenter | $65,810 | $31.64 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $86,370 | $41.53 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,330 | $29.96 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $56,330 | $27.08 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Roofer | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Glazier | $56,980 | $27.39 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $60,080 | $28.89 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $68,130 a year, or $32.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $93,920 a year. The top 25% earn $80,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,300 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $54,820 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 3,790 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.