SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Kansas City
Kansas City, MO-KS · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $64,060 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 $64,060 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $59,850. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $50,580 and $89,580. The lowest tenth earn under $47,250, while the highest tenth earn more than $96,840.
The area has 4,110 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.7 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $82,270. Of the 613 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 248th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,250 | −21.1% |
| 25th | $50,580 | −15.5% |
| Median (50th) | $64,060 | +7.0% |
| 75th | $89,580 | +49.7% |
| 90th | $96,840 | +61.8% |
| Mean | $70,930 | +18.5% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $82,270 | 4,190 | |
| 2 | Jefferson City | $71,140 | 410 | |
| 3 | St. Joseph | $62,820 | 390 | |
| 4 | Cape Girardeau | $61,480 | 130 | |
| 5 | Columbia | $56,770 | 310 | |
| 6 | Springfield | $53,340 | 530 | |
| 7 | Joplin | $53,210 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kansas City run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $64,060 goes as far as $70,551 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$70,551US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,060 a year, 7.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,250 to $96,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $82,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kansas City, MO?
The median annual wage is $64,060, or $30.80 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 Kansas City, MO is 7.0% 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 Kansas City, MO earns more than $96,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,250 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 St. Louis, at $82,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,110 jobs in this occupation in Kansas City, MO. 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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