SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Blacksburg
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Blacksburg, VA is $50,030 per year, 16.4% below the national median of $59,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Blacksburg, VA is $50,030 per year, 16.4% below the national median of $59,850. Half of workers earn between $44,820 and $60,060. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,260 and the ninetieth at $74,350.
Within the state, Charlottesville records the highest median at $59,790. Of the 257 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 146th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,260 | −36.1% |
| 25th | $44,820 | −25.1% |
| Median (50th) | $50,030 | −16.4% |
| 75th | $60,060 | +0.4% |
| 90th | $74,350 | +24.2% |
| Mean | $54,090 | −9.6% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $59,790 | 310 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $55,280 | 2,220 | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $52,060 | 2,150 | |
| 4 | Winchester | $50,790 | 260 | |
| 5 | Lynchburg | $50,100 | 230 | |
| 6 | Harrisonburg | $49,670 | 260 | |
| 7 | Roanoke | $49,010 | 480 | |
| 8 | Staunton | $48,750 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Blacksburg sit close to the national average, so $50,030 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$50,030as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,486US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,030 a year, 16.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,260 to $74,350 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $59,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Blacksburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $50,030, or $24.05 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 Blacksburg, VA is 16.4% lower. 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 Blacksburg, VA earns more than $74,350 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,260 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 Charlottesville, at $59,790 per year.
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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