Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in North Dakota
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in North Dakota earn a median of $62,150 a year ($29.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $59,850. North Dakota ranks 22nd of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 11 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| 25th percentile | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Median | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| 75th percentile | $76,430 | $36.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,570 | $48.35 |
| Average (mean) | $68,640 | $33.00 |
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 | $5,179.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,589.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,390.38 |
| Weekly | $1,195.19 |
| Hourly | $29.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $62,990 | 290 |
| Bismarck, ND | $62,150 | 580 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $61,690 | 960 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $61,520 | 370 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Electrician | $65,710 | $31.59 |
| Carpenter | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $58,140 | $27.95 |
| Roofer | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $65,180 | $31.34 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $82,120 | $39.48 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Pipelayer | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $79,940 | $38.43 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $45,110 | $21.69 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Dakota is $62,150 a year, or $29.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Dakota earn at least $100,570 a year. The top 25% earn $76,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,840 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $58,180 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in North Dakota?
About 4,890 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.