SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Elkhart
Elkhart-Goshen, IN · 10 metro areas compared
At $61,710, median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Elkhart, IN tracks the national median of $59,850 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $61,710, median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Elkhart, IN tracks the national median of $59,850 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $57,020 and $78,640. The lowest tenth earn under $46,100, while the highest tenth earn more than $93,890.
Employment stands at 290, or 2.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Michigan City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $98,120. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 106th of 307 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,100 | −23.0% |
| 25th | $57,020 | −4.7% |
| Median (50th) | $61,710 | +3.1% |
| 75th | $78,640 | +31.4% |
| 90th | $93,890 | +56.9% |
| Mean | $66,470 | +11.1% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan City | $98,120 | 170 | |
| 2 | Evansville | $84,500 | 510 | |
| 3 | Lafayette | $83,460 | 340 | |
| 4 | Kokomo | $82,270 | 100 | |
| 5 | Indianapolis | $82,190 | 3,700 | |
| 6 | South Bend | $80,460 | 360 | |
| 7 | Fort Wayne | $77,450 | 650 | |
| 8 | Columbus | $64,970 | 110 | |
| 9 | Bloomington | $62,120 | 230 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $61,630 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Elkhart run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $61,710 goes as far as $66,141 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,710as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,141US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,710 a year, 3.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,100 to $93,890 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Michigan City, at $98,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Elkhart, IN?
The median annual wage is $61,710, or $29.67 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 Elkhart, IN is 3.1% 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 Elkhart, IN earns more than $93,890 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,100 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 Michigan City, at $98,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 290 jobs in this occupation in Elkhart, IN. 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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