Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $69,800 a year ($33.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,010 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 22% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $89,660. There are 1.1 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $82,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| 25th percentile | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Median | $69,800 | $33.56 |
| 75th percentile | $119,340 | $57.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,010 | $60.10 |
| Average (mean) | $82,660 | $39.74 |
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 | $5,816.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,908.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,684.62 |
| Weekly | $1,342.31 |
| Hourly | $33.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $95,050 | 11,430 |
| Vineland, NJ | $76,740 | 180 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $76,240 | 320 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,810 | 5,620 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,050 | 920 |
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 Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| Carpenter | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Electrician | $98,210 | $47.21 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Roofer | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $116,360 | $55.94 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $53,820 | $25.87 |
| Glazier | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $104,310 | $50.15 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $82,660 | $39.74 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $45,430 | $21.84 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $69,800 a year, or $33.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $125,010 a year. The top 25% earn $119,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,570 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $62,140 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 270 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.