How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Ames?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $30.00 an hour or $5,200 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.00
- Vs. national median
- +4%
- Rank among cities
- 141 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,490 | $23.31 | |
| 25th | $55,690 | $26.77 | |
| Median | $62,400 | $30.00 | |
| 75th | $66,050 | $31.75 | |
| 90th | $80,640 | $38.77 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| Waterloo, IA | $97,770 |
| Davenport, IA | $64,850 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,310 |
| Des Moines, IA | $62,610 |
| Dubuque, IA | $62,250 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,530 |
| Omaha, NE | $60,020 |
| Sioux City, IA | $59,140 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $72,260 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $64,420 |
| Plumber | $63,820 |
| Electrician | $63,320 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,980 |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $58,230 |
| Carpenter | $55,640 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,810 |
| Painter | $44,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $30.00 ($62,400 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Ames than the national average?
Yes: $62,400 against $59,850 nationally, 4% more.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $60,330, so Ames pays 3% more.
Where does Ames rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
141 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $48,490 or less a year; the top 10% make $80,640 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.