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Occupation · SOC 47-2073

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

There are 478,090 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $59,850 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

Construction & ExtractionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
478,090
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$59,850
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,680–$77,170
39,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.6%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 391 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $51,040 · LCA filings 014,000$51,0400
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $51,370 · LCA filings 011,510$51,3700
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $95,050 · LCA filings 011,430$95,0500
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $92,890 · LCA filings 08,780$92,8900
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $49,430 · LCA filings 08,360$49,4300
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $62,540 · LCA filings 07,980$62,5400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $103,100 · LCA filings 07,930$103,1000
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $61,660 · LCA filings 06,450$61,6600
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $76,940 · LCA filings 06,370$76,9400
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $51,800 · LCA filings 05,850$51,8000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 400 · LCA filings 0$124,9904000
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 4,080 · LCA filings 0$124,7504,0800
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,360 · LCA filings 0$124,3401,3600
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 1,430 · LCA filings 0$117,6301,4300
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 710 · LCA filings 0$105,0807100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $49,067 · Level III $55,349 · Level IV $61,630$42,786$49,067$55,349$61,630
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $49,587 · Level III $55,078 · Level IV $60,570$44,096$49,587$55,078$60,570
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $80,787 · Level III $100,526 · Level IV $120,245$61,069$80,787$100,526$120,245
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $75,878 · Level III $94,016 · Level IV $112,174$57,720$75,878$94,016$112,174
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $47,050 · Level III $52,062 · Level IV $57,054$42,058$47,050$52,062$57,054
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $56,909 · Level III $63,294 · Level IV $69,659$50,544$56,909$63,294$69,659
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $80,371 · Level III $96,221 · Level IV $112,050$64,542$80,371$96,221$112,050
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $56,930 · Level III $64,771 · Level IV $72,634$49,067$56,930$64,771$72,634
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $71,739 · Level III $85,821 · Level IV $99,902$57,658$71,739$85,821$99,902
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $49,234 · Level III $54,850 · Level IV $60,466$43,618$49,234$54,850$60,466

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Ground TransportationCIP 49.02OPT · up to 12 months52OPT · up to 12 months

See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in every metro area

All 391 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

Construction LaborersElectriciansFirst-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersCarpentersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersPainters, Construction and MaintenanceConstruction and Building InspectorsCement Masons and Concrete Finishers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology