Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $64,060 a year ($30.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,840 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 6% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $60,540. There are 3.7 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,250 | $22.72 |
| 25th percentile | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Median | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| 75th percentile | $89,580 | $43.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,840 | $46.56 |
| Average (mean) | $70,930 | $34.10 |
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 | $5,338.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,669.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,463.85 |
| Weekly | $1,231.92 |
| Hourly | $30.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $82,270 | 4,190 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $71,140 | 410 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $62,820 | 390 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $61,480 | 130 |
| Lawrence, KS | $60,080 | 120 |
| Manhattan, KS | $58,080 | 360 |
| Columbia, MO | $56,770 | 310 |
| Topeka, KS | $56,760 | 530 |
| Springfield, MO | $53,340 | 530 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $53,210 | 330 |
| Wichita, KS | $49,930 | 1,150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Electrician | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Carpenter | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $82,830 | $39.82 |
| Roofer | $58,420 | $28.09 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $72,370 | $34.80 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| Glazier | $56,850 | $27.33 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $64,060 a year, or $30.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $96,840 a year. The top 25% earn $89,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,250 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,580 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 4,110 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.