SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Raleigh
Raleigh-Cary, NC · 10 metro areas compared
In Raleigh, NC the median wage is $51,110.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Raleigh, NC the median wage is $51,110. That is 14.6% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay ranges from under $40,540 at the tenth percentile to more than $65,970 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,950 to $59,690.
Employment stands at 3,080, or 4.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Burlington records the highest median at $51,570. Of the 571 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 338th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,540 | −32.3% |
| 25th | $47,950 | −19.9% |
| Median (50th) | $51,110 | −14.6% |
| 75th | $59,690 | −0.3% |
| 90th | $65,970 | +10.2% |
| Mean | $54,460 | −9.0% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | $51,570 | 200 | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $50,870 | 4,440 | |
| 3 | Durham | $50,820 | 480 | |
| 4 | Pinehurst | $50,210 | 90 | |
| 5 | Greensboro | $49,310 | 1,080 | |
| 6 | Rocky Mount | $48,640 | 170 | |
| 7 | Fayetteville | $48,390 | 440 | |
| 8 | Asheville | $47,970 | 510 | |
| 9 | Greenville | $47,940 | 210 | |
| 10 | Wilmington | $47,910 | 790 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Raleigh run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $51,110 goes as far as $54,199 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,199US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,110 a year, 14.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,540 to $65,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,080 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Burlington, at $51,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Raleigh, NC?
The median annual wage is $51,110, or $24.57 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 Raleigh, NC is 14.6% 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 Raleigh, NC earns more than $65,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,540 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 Burlington, at $51,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,080 jobs in this occupation in Raleigh, NC. 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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