SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Battle Creek
Battle Creek, MI · 10 metro areas compared
At $78,020 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Battle Creek, MI sits 30.4% above the national figure of $59,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $78,020 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Battle Creek, MI sits 30.4% above the national figure of $59,850. Half of workers earn between $70,680 and $78,020. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $56,870 and the ninetieth at $78,020.
The area has 150 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.7 of every thousand jobs. Bay City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $75,310. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 53rd of 223 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,870 | −5.0% |
| 25th | $70,680 | +18.1% |
| Median (50th) | $78,020 | +30.4% |
| 75th | $78,020 | +30.4% |
| 90th | $78,020 | +30.4% |
| Mean | $72,800 | +21.6% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bay City | $75,310 | 140 | |
| 2 | Flint | $75,140 | 240 | |
| 3 | Detroit | $68,130 | 3,790 | |
| 4 | Midland | $65,710 | 120 | |
| 5 | Grand Rapids | $63,850 | 900 | |
| 6 | Ann Arbor | $62,490 | 170 | |
| 7 | Kalamazoo | $61,730 | 190 | |
| 8 | Lansing | $61,390 | 480 | |
| 9 | Traverse City | $61,200 | 280 | |
| 10 | Monroe | $60,910 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Battle Creek run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $78,020 goes as far as $81,102 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 35.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$81,102US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,020 a year, 30.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $56,870 to $78,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bay City, at $75,310.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Battle Creek, MI?
The median annual wage is $78,020, or $37.51 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,850, so pay in Battle Creek, MI is 30.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Battle Creek, MI earns more than $78,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $56,870 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Bay City, at $75,310 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Battle Creek, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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