SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Michigan City
Michigan City-La Porte, IN · 10 metro areas compared
At $98,120 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Michigan City, IN sits 63.9% above the national figure of $59,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $98,120 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Michigan City, IN sits 63.9% above the national figure of $59,850. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $64,410 and $100,060. The lowest tenth earn under $50,330, while the highest tenth earn more than $102,860.
The area has 170 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Evansville records the highest median at $84,500. Of the 195 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 20th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,330 | −15.9% |
| 25th | $64,410 | +7.6% |
| Median (50th) | $98,120 | +63.9% |
| 75th | $100,060 | +67.2% |
| 90th | $102,860 | +71.9% |
| Mean | $84,420 | +41.1% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evansville | $84,500 | 510 | |
| 2 | Lafayette | $83,460 | 340 | |
| 3 | Kokomo | $82,270 | 100 | |
| 4 | Indianapolis | $82,190 | 3,700 | |
| 5 | South Bend | $80,460 | 360 | |
| 6 | Fort Wayne | $77,450 | 650 | |
| 7 | Columbus | $64,970 | 110 | |
| 8 | Bloomington | $62,120 | 230 | |
| 9 | Elkhart | $61,710 | 290 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $61,630 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan City run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $98,120 goes as far as $105,166 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 75.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$98,120as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$105,166US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $98,120 a year, 63.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,330 to $102,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Evansville, at $84,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Michigan City, IN?
The median annual wage is $98,120, or $47.17 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 Michigan City, IN is 63.9% 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 Michigan City, IN earns more than $102,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,330 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 Evansville, at $84,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in Michigan City, 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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