Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Wisconsin
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wisconsin earn a median of $75,280 a year ($36.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,140 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $59,850. Wisconsin ranks 12th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. 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 $77,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| 25th percentile | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| Median | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| 75th percentile | $94,610 | $45.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Average (mean) | $77,770 | $37.39 |
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 | $6,273.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,136.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,895.38 |
| Weekly | $1,447.69 |
| Hourly | $36.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wausau, WI | $90,900 | 200 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $90,320 | 280 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $83,340 | 4,270 |
| Madison, WI | $83,060 | 680 |
| Appleton, WI | $83,010 | 480 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $79,430 | 2,070 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $77,020 | 150 |
| Green Bay, WI | $76,290 | 420 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $75,970 | 260 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,040 | 770 |
| Kenosha, WI | $73,190 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $71,560 | 160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $71,430 | 120 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $66,320 | 240 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $64,290 | 100 |
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.
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Electrician | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Carpenter | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| Roofer | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $69,020 | $33.18 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $92,820 | $44.63 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $52,860 | $25.42 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,520 | $23.81 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Wisconsin is $75,280 a year, or $36.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Wisconsin earn at least $100,140 a year. The top 25% earn $94,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,370 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $61,520 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Wisconsin?
About 8,140 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.