Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Santa Fe, NM
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn a median of $52,000 a year ($25.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,050 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is about the same as the New Mexico statewide median of $52,000. There are 2.3 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $55,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Santa Fe, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| 25th percentile | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Median | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 75th percentile | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,050 | $34.16 |
| Average (mean) | $55,390 | $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 | $4,333.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,166.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,000 |
| Weekly | $1,000 |
| Hourly | $25.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | $55,180 | 480 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $51,160 | 1,330 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $48,890 | 440 |
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Fe, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $41,980 | $20.18 |
| Carpenter | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $50,180 | $24.13 |
| Electrician | $57,250 | $27.52 |
| Roofer | $45,090 | $21.68 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $51,430 | $24.73 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $57,150 | $27.47 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $67,630 | $32.52 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $64,770 | $31.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Santa Fe, NM
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 Santa Fe, NM?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Santa Fe, NM metro area is $52,000 a year, or $25.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Santa Fe, NM?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Santa Fe, NM metro area earn at least $71,050 a year. The top 25% earn $58,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Santa Fe, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,140 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $48,250 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Santa Fe, NM?
About 140 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Santa Fe, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.