SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Wheeling
Wheeling, WV-OH · 6 metro areas compared
At $58,250, median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wheeling, WV tracks the national median of $59,850 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $58,250, median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wheeling, WV tracks the national median of $59,850 closely. Pay ranges from under $39,020 at the tenth percentile to more than $92,420 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,670 to $77,160.
Employment stands at 500, or 8.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Beckley records the highest median at $59,700. Of the 257 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 109th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,020 | −34.8% |
| 25th | $45,670 | −23.7% |
| Median (50th) | $58,250 | −2.7% |
| 75th | $77,160 | +28.9% |
| 90th | $92,420 | +54.4% |
| Mean | $61,920 | +3.5% |
Other metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beckley | $59,700 | 480 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $57,640 | 940 | |
| 3 | Huntington | $57,320 | 1,040 | |
| 4 | Morgantown | $52,970 | 530 | |
| 5 | Weirton | $51,290 | 310 | |
| 6 | Parkersburg | $47,450 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wheeling run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $58,250 goes as far as $65,084 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,250as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$65,084US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,250 a year, 2.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,020 to $92,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 500 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Beckley, at $59,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wheeling, WV?
The median annual wage is $58,250, or $28.01 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 Wheeling, WV is 2.7% 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 Wheeling, WV earns more than $92,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,020 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 Beckley, at $59,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 500 jobs in this occupation in Wheeling, WV. 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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