Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $58,420 a year ($28.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $60,530. 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 $62,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| 25th percentile | $50,910 | $24.48 |
| Median | $58,420 | $28.09 |
| 75th percentile | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,500 | $43.51 |
| Average (mean) | $62,450 | $30.03 |
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 | $4,868.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,434.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,246.92 |
| Weekly | $1,123.46 |
| Hourly | $28.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,810 | 5,620 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,050 | 920 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $62,320 | 5,050 |
| Reading, PA | $62,290 | 590 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $61,870 | 790 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,340 | 1,010 |
| State College, PA | $60,540 | 460 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,330 | 950 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $58,800 | 280 |
| Erie, PA | $58,030 | 280 |
| Lebanon, PA | $55,750 | 160 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $52,960 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $51,830 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $50,890 | 230 |
| Altoona, PA | $50,790 | 230 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Carpenter | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Electrician | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $53,800 | $25.87 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Roofer | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $72,730 | $34.97 |
| Carpet Installer | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Glazier | $51,520 | $24.77 |
| Pipelayer | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $48,250 | $23.20 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $58,420 a year, or $28.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $90,500 a year. The top 25% earn $67,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,780 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,910 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 670 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.