SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $62,610 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $59,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $62,610 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $59,850. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $58,290 and $78,250. The lowest tenth earn under $46,710, while the highest tenth earn more than $82,970.
The area has 1,260 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.01 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Waterloo records the highest median at $97,770. Of the 508 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 232nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,710 | −22.0% |
| 25th | $58,290 | −2.6% |
| Median (50th) | $62,610 | +4.6% |
| 75th | $78,250 | +30.7% |
| 90th | $82,970 | +38.6% |
| Mean | $66,340 | +10.8% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | $97,770 | 420 | |
| 2 | Davenport | $64,850 | 570 | |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $63,310 | 490 | |
| 4 | Ames | $62,400 | 190 | |
| 5 | Dubuque | $62,250 | 160 | |
| 6 | Iowa City | $60,530 | 210 | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $59,140 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $62,610 goes as far as $71,310 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,610as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$71,310US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,610 a year, 4.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,710 to $82,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Waterloo, at $97,770.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $62,610, or $30.10 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 Des Moines, IA is 4.6% 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 Des Moines, IA earns more than $82,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,710 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 Waterloo, at $97,770 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,260 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, IA. 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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