SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — South Bend
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI · 10 metro areas compared
At $80,460 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Bend, IN sits 34.4% above the national figure of $59,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $80,460 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Bend, IN sits 34.4% above the national figure of $59,850. Half of workers earn between $60,460 and $96,600. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $48,010 and the ninetieth at $102,020.
The area has 360 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.7 of every thousand jobs. Michigan City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $98,120. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 64th of 387 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,010 | −19.8% |
| 25th | $60,460 | +1.0% |
| Median (50th) | $80,460 | +34.4% |
| 75th | $96,600 | +61.4% |
| 90th | $102,020 | +70.5% |
| Mean | $79,360 | +32.6% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan City | $98,120 | 170 | |
| 2 | Evansville | $84,500 | 510 | |
| 3 | Lafayette | $83,460 | 340 | |
| 4 | Kokomo | $82,270 | 100 | |
| 5 | Indianapolis | $82,190 | 3,700 | |
| 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 South Bend run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $80,460 goes as far as $86,238 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 44.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$80,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$86,238US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $80,460 a year, 34.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,010 to $102,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 360 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Michigan City, at $98,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Bend, IN?
The median annual wage is $80,460, or $38.68 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 South Bend, IN is 34.4% 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 South Bend, IN earns more than $102,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,010 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 Michigan City, at $98,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 360 jobs in this occupation in South Bend, 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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