SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — North Dakota
North Dakota · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in North Dakota is $62,150 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 North Dakota is $62,150 per year, close to the national median of $59,850 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $58,180 and $76,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $49,840 and the ninetieth at $100,570.
Employment stands at 4,890, or 11.4 jobs per thousand held locally. North Dakota ranks number 22nd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Minot records the highest median at $62,990. Of the 556 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 259th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,840 | −16.7% |
| 25th | $58,180 | −2.8% |
| Median (50th) | $62,150 | +3.8% |
| 75th | $76,430 | +27.7% |
| 90th | $100,570 | +68.0% |
| Mean | $68,640 | +14.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot | $62,990 | 290 | |
| 2 | Bismarck | $62,150 | 580 | |
| 3 | Fargo | $61,690 | 960 | |
| 4 | Grand Forks | $61,520 | 370 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $62,150 goes as far as $69,831 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,150as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,831US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,150 a year, 3.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,840 to $100,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,890 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 22nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minot, at $62,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $62,150, or $29.88 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 North Dakota is 3.8% 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 North Dakota earns more than $100,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,840 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 Minot, at $62,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,890 jobs in this occupation in North Dakota. 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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