SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Iowa City, IA is $60,530 per year, close to the national median of $59,850 for the same occupation.
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 Iowa City, IA is $60,530 per year, close to the national median of $59,850 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $56,620 and $71,010. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $49,990 and the ninetieth at $79,080.
The area has 210 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Waterloo records the highest median at $97,770. Of the 296 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 143rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,990 | −16.5% |
| 25th | $56,620 | −5.4% |
| Median (50th) | $60,530 | +1.1% |
| 75th | $71,010 | +18.6% |
| 90th | $79,080 | +32.1% |
| Mean | $63,080 | +5.4% |
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 | Des Moines | $62,610 | 1,260 | |
| 5 | Ames | $62,400 | 190 | |
| 6 | Dubuque | $62,250 | 160 | |
| 7 | Sioux City | $59,140 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $60,530 goes as far as $68,941 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,941US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,530 a year, 1.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,990 to $79,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 210 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median annual wage is $60,530, or $29.10 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 Iowa City, IA is 1.1% 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 Iowa City, IA earns more than $79,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,990 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 210 jobs in this occupation in Iowa City, 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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