SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — New Orleans
New Orleans-Metairie, LA · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New Orleans, LA is $58,240 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 New Orleans, LA is $58,240 per year, close to the national median of $59,850 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $47,770 and $67,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,330 and the ninetieth at $75,400.
Employment stands at 1,150, or 2.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Baton Rouge records the highest median at $58,210. Of the 505 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 259th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,330 | −34.3% |
| 25th | $47,770 | −20.2% |
| Median (50th) | $58,240 | −2.7% |
| 75th | $67,040 | +12.0% |
| 90th | $75,400 | +26.0% |
| Mean | $58,280 | −2.6% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $58,210 | 2,260 | |
| 2 | Shreveport | $51,000 | 750 | |
| 3 | Slidell | $50,580 | 250 | |
| 4 | Hammond | $49,870 | 90 | |
| 5 | Lafayette | $49,800 | 370 | |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $49,270 | 410 | |
| 7 | Houma | $48,990 | 710 | |
| 8 | Monroe | $46,000 | 230 | |
| 9 | Alexandria | $44,570 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Orleans run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $58,240 goes as far as $66,032 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,240as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,032US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,240 a year, 2.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,330 to $75,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baton Rouge, at $58,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in New Orleans, LA?
The median annual wage is $58,240, or $28.00 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 New Orleans, LA is 2.7% lower. 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 New Orleans, LA earns more than $75,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,330 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 Baton Rouge, at $58,210 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,150 jobs in this occupation in New Orleans, LA. 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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