SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 10 metro areas compared
At $75,280 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wisconsin sits 25.8% above the national figure of $59,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $75,280 a year, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wisconsin sits 25.8% above the national figure of $59,850. Half of workers earn between $61,520 and $94,610. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $51,370 and the ninetieth at $100,140.
The area has 8,140 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.90 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Wisconsin ranks 12th by median wage. Wausau leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $90,900. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 230th of 728 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,370 | −14.2% |
| 25th | $61,520 | +2.8% |
| Median (50th) | $75,280 | +25.8% |
| 75th | $94,610 | +58.1% |
| 90th | $100,140 | +67.3% |
| Mean | $77,770 | +29.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wausau | $90,900 | 200 | |
| 2 | Racine | $90,320 | 280 | |
| 3 | Madison | $83,060 | 680 | |
| 4 | Appleton | $83,010 | 480 | |
| 5 | Milwaukee | $79,430 | 2,070 | |
| 6 | Oshkosh | $77,020 | 150 | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $76,290 | 420 | |
| 8 | Eau Claire | $75,970 | 260 | |
| 9 | Kenosha | $73,190 | 120 | |
| 10 | Fond du Lac | $71,560 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $75,280 goes as far as $80,000 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 33.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$75,280as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,000US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $75,280 a year, 25.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,370 to $100,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 8,140 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 12th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wausau, at $90,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $75,280, or $36.19 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 Wisconsin is 25.8% 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 Wisconsin earns more than $100,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,370 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 Wausau, at $90,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 8,140 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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