Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $52,060 a year ($25.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,700 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 9% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $57,160. There are 2.8 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| 25th percentile | $47,870 | $23.01 |
| Median | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| 75th percentile | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,700 | $35.44 |
| Average (mean) | $55,080 | $26.48 |
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 | $4,338.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,169.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,002.31 |
| Weekly | $1,001.15 |
| Hourly | $25.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,660 | 6,450 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $59,790 | 310 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,960 | 770 |
| Richmond, VA | $55,280 | 2,220 |
| Burlington, NC | $51,570 | 200 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $51,110 | 3,080 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $50,870 | 4,440 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $50,820 | 480 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $50,790 | 260 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $50,210 | 90 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $50,100 | 230 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $50,030 | n/a |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $49,670 | 260 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,310 | 1,080 |
| Roanoke, VA | $49,010 | 480 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $48,750 | 160 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,640 | 170 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $48,390 | 440 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,970 | 510 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,940 | 210 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,910 | 790 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,590 | 770 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,340 | 370 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $47,180 | 220 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $46,930 | 180 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Carpenter | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Roofer | $46,480 | $22.34 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Pipelayer | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $43,730 | $21.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $52,060 a year, or $25.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $73,700 a year. The top 25% earn $61,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,500 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $47,870 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 2,150 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.