Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Wilmington, NC
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $47,910 a year ($23.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,050 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $49,310. There are 4.1 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 25th percentile | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Median | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| 75th percentile | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Average (mean) | $49,990 | $24.03 |
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 | $3,992.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,996.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,842.69 |
| Weekly | $921.35 |
| Hourly | $23.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,060 | 2,150 |
| 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 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $50,210 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,310 | 1,080 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,640 | 170 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $48,390 | 440 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,970 | 510 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,940 | 210 |
| 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Electrician | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| Roofer | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Pipelayer | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $57,540 | $27.66 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| Glazier | $46,000 | $22.12 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $47,910 a year, or $23.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $62,050 a year. The top 25% earn $56,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,300 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $44,830 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Wilmington, NC?
About 790 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.