SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Columbus
Columbus, OH · 10 metro areas compared
In Columbus, OH the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators reaches $78,950 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Columbus, OH the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators reaches $78,950 a year. That is 31.9% more than the national median of $59,850. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $62,050 and $95,780. The lowest tenth earn under $50,610, while the highest tenth earn more than $99,390.
Employment stands at 3,290, or 3.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Cleveland leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $71,740. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 186th of 611 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,610 | −15.4% |
| 25th | $62,050 | +3.7% |
| Median (50th) | $78,950 | +31.9% |
| 75th | $95,780 | +60.0% |
| 90th | $99,390 | +66.1% |
| Mean | $78,470 | +31.1% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $71,740 | 2,660 | |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $66,950 | 3,120 | |
| 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 Columbus run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $78,950 goes as far as $85,075 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 42.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,075US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,950 a year, 31.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,610 to $99,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cleveland, at $71,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Columbus, OH?
The median annual wage is $78,950, or $37.96 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 Columbus, OH is 31.9% 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 Columbus, OH earns more than $99,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,610 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 Cleveland, at $71,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,290 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, 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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