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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Operating Engineer in Alabama is $75,083 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Chief Operating Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Chief Operating Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $86,144 | $7,179 | $1,657 | $41 |
| Average | $75,083 | $6,257 | $1,444 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,751 | $5,646 | $1,303 | $33 |
JLL - Florence, SC, AL
TUSCALOOSA VA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION - Tuscaloosa, AL
Incognito Software Systems Inc - Tuscaloosa, AL
Decatur Utilities - Decatur, AL
A Chief 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Chief 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Chief Operating Engineer | $71,598 |
| Intermediate Level Chief Operating Engineer | $71,919 |
| Senior Level Chief Operating Engineer | $73,522 |
| Specialist Level Chief Operating Engineer | $77,035 |
| Expert Level Chief Operating Engineer | $78,336 |
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 Chief Operating Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Chief Operating Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Chief Operating Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Operating Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $93,854 | $45.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $86,346 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $86,346 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $82,591 | $40.0 | 10% |
| Internet | $82,591 | $40.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Chief 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $86,144 | $7,179 | $1,657 | $41 |
| Average | $75,083 | $6,257 | $1,444 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,751 | $5,646 | $1,303 | $33 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Operating Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Vivo HealthStaff
Mobile, AL
Vivo HealthStaff | Mobile, AL
Job Description. Job Description. APPLICANTS MUST BE WILLING TO RELOCATE TO COASTAL OREGON --Vivo HealthStaff is actively recruiting for a Chief Operating ... more
6 Days Ago
Vivo HealthStaff
Birmingham, AL
Vivo HealthStaff | Birmingham, AL
Job Description. Job Description. APPLICANTS MUST BE WILLING TO RELOCATE TO COASTAL OREGON --Vivo HealthStaff is actively recruiting for a Chief Operating ... more
6 Days Ago
Baldwin Health
Foley, AL
Baldwin Health | Foley, AL
Baldwin Health is a 142-bed, acute care hospital offering inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and surgical care with more than 1,500 employees and... more
7 Days Ago
Verity Integrated Systems
Huntsville, AL
Verity Integrated Systems | Huntsville, AL
Job Description. Job Description. Position SummaryVerity Integrated Systems is seeking a Chief Engineer to provide senior technical leadership across aeros... more
7 Days Ago
SummitMedia LLC
Birmingham, AL
SummitMedia LLC | Birmingham, AL
Job Description. Job Description. SummitMedia LLC is seeking a Chief Engineer for our Louisville, KY market. Duties include installation, maintenance and r... more
7 Days Ago
Lillibridge Healthcare Services
Birmingham, AL
Lillibridge Healthcare Services | Birmingham, AL
Job Description. Job Description. . Lillibridge, the property management and leasing subsidiary of Ventas, manages more than 22 million square feet of outp... more
7 Days Ago
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