Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area earn a median of $50,580 a year ($24.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,500 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $51,700. There are 2.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,290 | $18.89 |
| 25th percentile | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Median | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| 75th percentile | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,500 | $46.88 |
| Average (mean) | $58,240 | $28.00 |
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 | $4,215 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,107.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,945.38 |
| Weekly | $972.69 |
| Hourly | $24.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $58,240 | 1,150 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $58,210 | 2,260 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $51,000 | 750 |
| Hammond, LA | $49,870 | 90 |
| Lafayette, LA | $49,800 | 370 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $49,270 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $48,990 | 710 |
| Monroe, LA | $46,000 | 230 |
| Alexandria, LA | $44,570 | 260 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Carpenter | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| Electrician | $56,670 | $27.25 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $71,600 | $34.42 |
| Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $72,800 | $35.00 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
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 Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area is $50,580 a year, or $24.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area earn at least $97,500 a year. The top 25% earn $66,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,290 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $47,100 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
About 250 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.