How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Rapid City?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Rapid City, SD metro area. That is $29.16 an hour or $5,055 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.16
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 177 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 410
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,630 | $23.38 | |
| 25th | $52,610 | $25.29 | |
| Median | $60,660 | $29.16 | |
| 75th | $63,630 | $30.59 | |
| 90th | $75,240 | $36.17 |
Other cities in South Dakota
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| Sioux Falls, SD | $60,960 |
| Sioux City, IA | $59,140 |
Related jobs in Rapid City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $77,900 |
| Electrician | $61,160 |
| Plumber | $55,850 |
| Pipelayer | $50,650 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $49,490 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $49,100 |
| Carpenter | $48,640 |
| Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher | $48,300 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer | $47,980 |
| Painter | $46,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Rapid City?
The median hourly pay in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $29.16 ($60,660 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Rapid City than the national average?
Yes: $60,660 against $59,850 nationally, 1% more.
How does Rapid City compare with the rest of South Dakota?
The median in South Dakota is $59,500, so Rapid City pays 2% more.
Where does Rapid City rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
177 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Rapid City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $48,630 or less a year; the top 10% make $75,240 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.