How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Durham?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area. That is $24.43 an hour or $4,235 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.43
- Vs. national median
- -15%
- Rank among cities
- 266 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 480
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,690 | $19.08 | |
| 25th | $47,030 | $22.61 | |
| Median | $50,820 | $24.43 | |
| 75th | $61,610 | $29.62 | |
| 90th | $71,240 | $34.25 |
Other cities in North Carolina
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| Virginia Beach, VA | $52,060 |
| Burlington, NC | $51,570 |
| Raleigh, NC | $51,110 |
| Charlotte, NC | $50,870 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $50,210 |
| Greensboro, NC | $49,310 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,640 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $48,390 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,970 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,940 |
| Wilmington, NC | $47,910 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,590 |
| Hickory, NC | $47,340 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $47,180 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $46,930 |
Related jobs in Durham
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $75,430 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $73,590 |
| Plumber | $60,110 |
| Electrician | $59,220 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $57,810 |
| Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner | $56,120 |
| Paving | $54,800 |
| Carpenter | $51,540 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $49,850 |
| Insulation Worker | $49,450 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Durham?
The median hourly pay in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $24.43 ($50,820 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Durham than the national average?
No: $50,820 against $59,850 nationally, 15% less.
How does Durham compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $49,310, so Durham pays 3% more.
Where does Durham rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
266 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Durham?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,690 or less a year; the top 10% make $71,240 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.