SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Topeka
Topeka, KS · 3 metro areas compared
At $56,760, median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Topeka, KS tracks the national median of $59,850 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $56,760, median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Topeka, KS tracks the national median of $59,850 closely. Pay ranges from under $41,870 at the tenth percentile to more than $82,560 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,950 to $65,220.
Employment stands at 530, or 4.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Lawrence records the highest median at $60,080. Of the 333 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 168th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,870 | −30.0% |
| 25th | $46,950 | −21.6% |
| Median (50th) | $56,760 | −5.2% |
| 75th | $65,220 | +9.0% |
| 90th | $82,560 | +37.9% |
| Mean | $59,760 | −0.2% |
Other metro areas in Kansas
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Topeka run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $56,760 goes as far as $62,997 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$56,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,997US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,760 a year, 5.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,870 to $82,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 530 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lawrence, at $60,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Topeka, KS?
The median annual wage is $56,760, or $27.29 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 Topeka, KS is 5.2% 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 Topeka, KS earns more than $82,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,870 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 Lawrence, at $60,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 530 jobs in this occupation in Topeka, KS. 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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