SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — St. Cloud
St. Cloud, MN · 4 metro areas compared
At $79,530 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in St.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $79,530 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in St. Cloud, MN sits 32.9% above the national figure of $59,850. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $62,630 and $98,390. The lowest tenth earn under $58,980, while the highest tenth earn more than $98,390.
The area has 700 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.20 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Minneapolis records the highest median at $83,340. Of the 326 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 82nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,980 | −1.5% |
| 25th | $62,630 | +4.6% |
| Median (50th) | $79,530 | +32.9% |
| 75th | $98,390 | +64.4% |
| 90th | $98,390 | +64.4% |
| Mean | $78,110 | +30.5% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $83,340 | 4,270 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $79,580 | 290 | |
| 3 | Mankato | $78,560 | 150 | |
| 4 | Duluth | $75,040 | 770 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in St. Cloud sit close to the national average, so $79,530 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$79,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,659US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,530 a year, 32.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $58,980 to $98,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 700 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $83,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in St. Cloud, MN?
The median annual wage is $79,530, or $38.24 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 St. Cloud, MN is 32.9% 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 St. Cloud, MN earns more than $98,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $58,980 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 Minneapolis, at $83,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 700 jobs in this occupation in St. Cloud, MN. 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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