SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — West North Dakota
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in West North Dakota, ND comes to $65,320 a year, ahead of the national median of $59,850 by 9.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in West North Dakota, ND comes to $65,320 a year, ahead of the national median of $59,850 by 9.1%. Pay ranges from under $51,020 at the tenth percentile to more than $111,070 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $59,200 to $79,070.
Employment stands at 2,270, or 25.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Minot records the highest median at $62,990. Of the 279 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 109th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,020 | −14.8% |
| 25th | $59,200 | −1.1% |
| Median (50th) | $65,320 | +9.1% |
| 75th | $79,070 | +32.1% |
| 90th | $111,070 | +85.6% |
| Mean | $72,690 | +21.5% |
Other 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 West North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $65,320 goes as far as $73,393 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$73,393US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,320 a year, 9.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,020 to $111,070 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,270 jobs in 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 West North Dakota, ND?
The median annual wage is $65,320, or $31.41 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 West North Dakota, ND is 9.1% 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 West North Dakota, ND earns more than $111,070 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,020 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 2,270 jobs in this occupation in West North Dakota, ND. 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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