How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $29.64 an hour or $5,138 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.64
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 159 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 6,450
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,580 | $22.39 | |
| 25th | $54,760 | $26.33 | |
| Median | $61,660 | $29.64 | |
| 75th | $72,940 | $35.07 | |
| 90th | $84,180 | $40.47 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer | $122,300 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $83,540 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $80,150 |
| Electrician | $75,930 |
| Plumber | $71,860 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $68,320 |
| Plasterer and Stucco Mason | $64,310 |
| Explosives Worker | $63,920 |
| Insulation Worker | $63,630 |
| Glazier | $63,310 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $29.64 ($61,660 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $61,660 against $59,850 nationally, 3% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $74,610, so Washington pays 17% less.
Where does Washington rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
159 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $84,180 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.