Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Richmond, VA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $55,280 a year ($26.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,400 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $57,160. There are 3.4 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $56,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Median | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| 75th percentile | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Average (mean) | $56,620 | $27.22 |
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 | $4,606.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,303.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,126.15 |
| Weekly | $1,063.08 |
| Hourly | $26.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,660 | 6,450 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $59,790 | 310 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,960 | 770 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,060 | 2,150 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $50,790 | 260 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $50,100 | 230 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $50,030 | n/a |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $49,670 | 260 |
| Roanoke, VA | $49,010 | 480 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,750 | 160 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Electrician | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Carpenter | $51,870 | $24.94 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $51,800 | $24.90 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $49,260 | $23.68 |
| Roofer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Pipelayer | $48,700 | $23.41 |
| Glazier | $57,760 | $27.77 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Richmond, VA metro area is $55,280 a year, or $26.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $74,400 a year. The top 25% earn $61,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,650 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $48,010 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Richmond, VA?
About 2,220 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.