How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Hickory?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area. That is $22.76 an hour or $3,945 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.76
- Vs. national median
- -21%
- Rank among cities
- 346 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 370
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,260 | $17.43 | |
| 25th | $41,360 | $19.88 | |
| Median | $47,340 | $22.76 | |
| 75th | $57,900 | $27.84 | |
| 90th | $70,900 | $34.09 |
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 |
| Durham, NC | $50,820 |
| 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 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $47,180 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $46,930 |
Related jobs in Hickory
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $69,990 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $59,800 |
| Electrician | $53,730 |
| Plumber | $51,330 |
| Carpenter | $48,260 |
| Roofer | $46,810 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $46,800 |
| Paving | $44,760 |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $44,570 |
| Construction Laborer | $44,550 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Hickory?
The median hourly pay in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $22.76 ($47,340 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Hickory than the national average?
No: $47,340 against $59,850 nationally, 21% less.
How does Hickory compare with the rest of North Carolina?
The median in North Carolina is $49,310, so Hickory pays 4% less.
Where does Hickory rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
346 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Hickory?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,260 or less a year; the top 10% make $70,900 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.