Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $79,430 a year ($38.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,860 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $75,280. There are 2.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,390 | $29.52 |
| 25th percentile | $64,310 | $30.92 |
| Median | $79,430 | $38.19 |
| 75th percentile | $95,310 | $45.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,860 | $48.49 |
| Average (mean) | $82,100 | $39.47 |
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 | $6,619.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,309.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,055 |
| Weekly | $1,527.50 |
| Hourly | $38.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WI | $90,900 | 200 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $90,320 | 280 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $83,340 | 4,270 |
| Madison, WI | $83,060 | 680 |
| Appleton, WI | $83,010 | 480 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $77,020 | 150 |
| Green Bay, WI | $76,290 | 420 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $75,970 | 260 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,040 | 770 |
| Kenosha, WI | $73,190 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $71,560 | 160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $71,430 | 120 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $66,320 | 240 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $64,290 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Electrician | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| Carpenter | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $84,700 | $40.72 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Roofer | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $96,010 | $46.16 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $95,730 | $46.02 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Glazier | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $86,310 | $41.49 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $79,430 a year, or $38.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $100,860 a year. The top 25% earn $95,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,390 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $64,310 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 2,070 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.