SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Dalton
Dalton, GA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Dalton, GA is $40,860 per year, substantially below the national median of $59,850 — a gap of 31.7%.
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 Dalton, GA is $40,860 per year, substantially below the national median of $59,850 — a gap of 31.7%. Half of workers earn between $38,020 and $47,990. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,020 and the ninetieth at $50,960.
Employment stands at 200, or 3.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Atlanta records the highest median at $49,430. Of the 225 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 152nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,020 | −36.5% |
| 25th | $38,020 | −36.5% |
| Median (50th) | $40,860 | −31.7% |
| 75th | $47,990 | −19.8% |
| 90th | $50,960 | −14.9% |
| Mean | $43,870 | −26.7% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | $49,430 | 8,360 | |
| 2 | Savannah | $48,810 | 720 | |
| 3 | Gainesville | $48,350 | 300 | |
| 4 | Augusta | $48,190 | 670 | |
| 5 | Warner Robins | $48,110 | 240 | |
| 6 | Hinesville | $47,510 | 60 | |
| 7 | Brunswick | $46,600 | 190 | |
| 8 | Columbus | $46,430 | 490 | |
| 9 | Macon | $46,300 | 310 | |
| 10 | Albany | $45,460 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Dalton run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $40,860 goes as far as $42,430 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 29.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,430US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,860 a year, 31.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,020 to $50,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Atlanta, at $49,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Dalton, GA?
The median annual wage is $40,860, or $19.65 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 Dalton, GA is 31.7% 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 Dalton, GA earns more than $50,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,020 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 Atlanta, at $49,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 jobs in this occupation in Dalton, GA. 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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