Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in New York
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New York earn a median of $80,980 a year ($38.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,920 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $59,850. New York ranks 6th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 1.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $90,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| 25th percentile | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Median | $80,980 | $38.94 |
| 75th percentile | $112,920 | $54.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,920 | $69.67 |
| Average (mean) | $90,690 | $43.60 |
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 | $6,748.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,374.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,114.62 |
| Weekly | $1,557.31 |
| Hourly | $38.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $95,050 | 11,430 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $82,540 | 1,000 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $73,650 | 950 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,240 | 590 |
| Kingston, NY | $70,370 | 150 |
| Elmira, NY | $65,760 | 70 |
| Rochester, NY | $65,720 | 910 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,810 | 700 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $62,340 | 190 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,270 | 200 |
| Binghamton, NY | $61,000 | 330 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $60,030 | 170 |
| Ithaca, NY | $54,820 | 50 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $55,930 | $26.89 |
| Carpenter | $72,330 | $34.77 |
| Electrician | $78,750 | $37.86 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $77,490 | $37.26 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $73,760 | $35.46 |
| Roofer | $66,020 | $31.74 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Glazier | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $92,610 | $44.52 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New York is $80,980 a year, or $38.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in New York?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New York earn at least $144,920 a year. The top 25% earn $112,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,190 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $60,540 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in New York?
About 14,490 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.