Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Louisiana
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Louisiana earn a median of $51,700 a year ($24.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,180 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $59,850. Louisiana ranks 40th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 4.1 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Median | $51,700 | $24.86 |
| 75th percentile | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,180 | $36.14 |
| Average (mean) | $55,380 | $26.63 |
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 | $4,308.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,154.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,988.46 |
| Weekly | $994.23 |
| Hourly | $24.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $58,240 | 1,150 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $58,210 | 2,260 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $51,000 | 750 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $50,580 | 250 |
| Hammond, LA | $49,870 | 90 |
| Lafayette, LA | $49,800 | 370 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $49,270 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $48,990 | 710 |
| Monroe, LA | $46,000 | 230 |
| Alexandria, LA | $44,570 | 260 |
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.
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Electrician | $61,540 | $29.59 |
| Carpenter | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,680 | $30.62 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Boilermaker | $73,980 | $35.57 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $68,830 | $33.09 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Roofer | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Glazier | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,450 | $23.29 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Louisiana is $51,700 a year, or $24.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Louisiana earn at least $75,180 a year. The top 25% earn $62,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,440 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $46,440 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Louisiana?
About 7,860 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.