As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operating Engineer in the United States is $111,237 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, an Operating Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Operating Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Operating Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Industria... Level Operating Engineer | $77,544 |
| Industria... Level Operating Engineer | $95,600 |
| Operating... Level Operating Engineer | $111,972 |
| Industria... Level Operating Engineer | $125,179 |
| Industria... Level Operating Engineer | $147,465 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Operating Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.79% |
| Logistics | 1.98% |
| Supply Chain | 1.55% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Azure
|
$120,136 |
8%
|
|
AWS
|
$117,911 |
6%
|
|
Python
|
$117,911 |
6%
|
|
DevOps
|
$116,799 |
5%
|
|
Jenkins
|
$116,799 |
5%
|
|
Linux
|
$115,686 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operating Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Operating Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $107,972 and $114,241).
Operating Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 0.4% |
| Associates | 0.9% |
| Bachelors | 44.4% |
| Masters | 51.1% |
| Doctorate | 3.1% |
Understanding how an Operating Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on February 01, 2026Salaries for an Operating Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $107,793 in 2023 to around $107,133 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operating Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $107,793 |
| 2024 | $108,372 |
| 2025 | $107,133 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Operating Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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