SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Milwaukee
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 10 metro areas compared
In Milwaukee, WI the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators reaches $79,430 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Milwaukee, WI the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators reaches $79,430 a year. That is 32.7% more than the national median of $59,850. Pay ranges from under $61,390 at the tenth percentile to more than $100,860 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $64,310 to $95,310.
Employment stands at 2,070, or 2.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Wausau records the highest median at $90,900. Of the 593 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 169th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,390 | +2.6% |
| 25th | $64,310 | +7.5% |
| Median (50th) | $79,430 | +32.7% |
| 75th | $95,310 | +59.2% |
| 90th | $100,860 | +68.5% |
| Mean | $82,100 | +37.2% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wausau | $90,900 | 200 | |
| 2 | Racine | $90,320 | 280 | |
| 3 | Madison | $83,060 | 680 | |
| 4 | Appleton | $83,010 | 480 | |
| 5 | Oshkosh | $77,020 | 150 | |
| 6 | Green Bay | $76,290 | 420 | |
| 7 | Eau Claire | $75,970 | 260 | |
| 8 | Kenosha | $73,190 | 120 | |
| 9 | Fond du Lac | $71,560 | 160 | |
| 10 | La Crosse | $71,430 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Milwaukee run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $79,430 goes as far as $84,410 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 41.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$79,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$84,410US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,430 a year, 32.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $61,390 to $100,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,070 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wausau, at $90,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Milwaukee, WI?
The median annual wage is $79,430, or $38.19 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 Milwaukee, WI is 32.7% 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 Milwaukee, WI earns more than $100,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $61,390 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 Wausau, at $90,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,070 jobs in this occupation in Milwaukee, WI. 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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