Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn a median of $59,140 a year ($28.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,030 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $60,330. There are 2.6 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| 25th percentile | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Median | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| 75th percentile | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,030 | $35.11 |
| Average (mean) | $59,840 | $28.77 |
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 | $4,928.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,464.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,274.62 |
| Weekly | $1,137.31 |
| Hourly | $28.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,770 | 420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,850 | 570 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,310 | 490 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,610 | 1,260 |
| Ames, IA | $62,400 | 190 |
| Dubuque, IA | $62,250 | 160 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,960 | 630 |
| Lincoln, NE | $60,810 | 490 |
| Rapid City, SD | $60,660 | 410 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,530 | 210 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $60,020 | 1,380 |
| Grand Island, NE | $55,020 | 120 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Carpenter | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Electrician | $73,910 | $35.54 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Roofer | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $67,350 | $32.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $81,380 | $39.12 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $57,760 | $27.77 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $53,190 | $25.57 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $68,770 | $33.06 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD
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 Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area is $59,140 a year, or $28.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area earn at least $73,030 a year. The top 25% earn $63,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,940 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $51,220 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD?
About 200 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.