Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in State College, PA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $60,540 a year ($29.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,690 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is about the same as the Pennsylvania statewide median of $60,530. There are 6.6 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| 25th percentile | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Median | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| 75th percentile | $78,090 | $37.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,690 | $46.96 |
| Average (mean) | $67,740 | $32.57 |
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 | $5,045 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.46 |
| Weekly | $1,164.23 |
| Hourly | $29.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,810 | 5,620 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,050 | 920 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $62,320 | 5,050 |
| Reading, PA | $62,290 | 590 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $61,870 | 790 |
| Lancaster, PA | $61,340 | 1,010 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $59,330 | 950 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $58,800 | 280 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $58,420 | 670 |
| Erie, PA | $58,030 | 280 |
| Lebanon, PA | $55,750 | 160 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $52,960 | 190 |
| Johnstown, PA | $51,830 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $50,890 | 230 |
| Altoona, PA | $50,790 | 230 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $53,420 | $25.68 |
| Carpenter | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Electrician | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $57,560 | $27.67 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| Glazier | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $66,940 | $32.18 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the State College, PA metro area is $60,540 a year, or $29.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $97,690 a year. The top 25% earn $78,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,260 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,790 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in State College, PA?
About 460 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.