Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $95,750 a year ($46.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,420 for the top 10%. That is 60% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 17% higher than the Washington statewide median of $81,700. 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 $96,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,830 | $28.77 |
| 25th percentile | $75,150 | $36.13 |
| Median | $95,750 | $46.04 |
| 75th percentile | $122,260 | $58.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,420 | $61.74 |
| Average (mean) | $96,510 | $46.40 |
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 | $7,979.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,989.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,682.69 |
| Weekly | $1,841.35 |
| Hourly | $46.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $103,060 | 260 |
| Bellingham, WA | $91,510 | 400 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $89,460 | 240 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $85,390 | 180 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $79,850 | 460 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $79,040 | 3,040 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $77,780 | 180 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,360 | 700 |
| Yakima, WA | $71,810 | 190 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $67,750 | 50 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $64,150 | 190 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $61,290 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $76,410 | $36.74 |
| Construction Laborer | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Electrician | $101,780 | $48.93 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $95,230 | $45.78 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Roofer | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $109,830 | $52.80 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $80,860 | $38.88 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $75,560 | $36.33 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $71,980 | $34.61 |
| Taper | $80,340 | $38.63 |
| Glazier | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| Pipelayer | $84,830 | $40.78 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $111,440 | $53.58 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $95,750 a year, or $46.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $128,420 a year. The top 25% earn $122,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,830 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $75,150 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 4,860 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.