SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Cincinnati, OH is $66,950 per year, 11.9% above 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 Cincinnati, OH is $66,950 per year, 11.9% above the national median of $59,850. Half of workers earn between $55,860 and $94,650. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,210 and the ninetieth at $99,500.
The area has 3,120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Columbus records the highest median at $78,950. Of the 647 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 242nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,210 | −21.1% |
| 25th | $55,860 | −6.7% |
| Median (50th) | $66,950 | +11.9% |
| 75th | $94,650 | +58.1% |
| 90th | $99,500 | +66.2% |
| Mean | $72,760 | +21.6% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $78,950 | 3,290 | |
| 2 | Cleveland | $71,740 | 2,660 | |
| 3 | Mansfield | $66,100 | 190 | |
| 4 | Toledo | $64,380 | 780 | |
| 5 | Dayton | $64,050 | 710 | |
| 6 | Akron | $63,920 | 830 | |
| 7 | Sandusky | $60,380 | 240 | |
| 8 | Canton | $60,010 | 530 | |
| 9 | Youngstown | $59,210 | 420 | |
| 10 | Lima | $58,860 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cincinnati run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $66,950 goes as far as $72,144 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,144US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,950 a year, 11.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,210 to $99,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbus, at $78,950.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Cincinnati, OH?
The median annual wage is $66,950, or $32.19 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 Cincinnati, OH is 11.9% 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 Cincinnati, OH earns more than $99,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,210 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 Columbus, at $78,950 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,120 jobs in this occupation in Cincinnati, OH. 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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