What are the main factors that influence a Chief Operating Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Chief Operating Engineer's salary?

A Chief Operating Engineer's salary grows with experience: starting around $86,252 for beginners, reaching about $88,576 at mid-level, and approach $94,372 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Chief Operating Engineer?

Chief Operating Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Chief Operating Engineer roles are District of Columbia $90,459, California $90,116, Massachusetts $88,915. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Chief Operating Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Chief Operating Engineer level roles vary by specialization: hospital chief operating officer: $514,617; Chief Operating Officer: $466,853; Deputy Chief Operating Officer: $455,891; Chief Operating Officer - Physician Practice: $412,721; Operating Engineer: $111,260.

Chief Operating Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Chief Operating Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Operating Engineer in District of Columbia is $90,459 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, a Chief Operating Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,877
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,603 to $103,763
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,540

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Chief Operating Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$103,763	$8,647	$1,995	$50
Average	$90,459	$7,538	$1,740	$43
25th Percentile	$81,603	$6,800	$1,569	$39

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Chief Operating Engineer Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Chief Operating Engineer Salaries?

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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $86,252
Early Career (1-2 years): $86,639
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $88,576
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $92,807
Expert (over 8 years): $94,372

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Chief Operating Engineer	$86,252
Intermediate Level Chief Operating Engineer	$86,639
Senior Level Chief Operating Engineer	$88,576
Specialist Level Chief Operating Engineer	$92,807
Expert Level Chief Operating Engineer	$94,372

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Chief Operating Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:

District of Columbia: $90,459.
California: $90,116.
Massachusetts: $88,915.

District of Columbia $90,459 California $90,116 Massachusetts $88,915 Washington $88,588 New Jersey $88,555 Alaska $88,441 Connecticut $87,313 New York $86,856

Hawaii $85,393 Rhode Island $84,707 Maryland $84,241 Minnesota $83,604 Colorado $83,359 Illinois $83,277 Oregon $82,967 Delaware $82,738

New Hampshire $82,594 Virginia $82,272 Pennsylvania $81,333 Nevada $80,859 North Dakota $80,704 Michigan $80,459 Wisconsin $80,369 Vermont $80,189

Texas $79,691 Maine $79,658 Arizona $79,609 Ohio $79,552 Georgia $78,800 Indiana $78,424 Wyoming $78,351 Utah $78,236

Iowa $78,187 Kansas $77,795 Louisiana $77,681 North Carolina $77,640 Missouri $77,624 Florida $77,305 Montana $77,133 Nebraska $76,970

Kentucky $76,880 South Carolina $76,553 Tennessee $76,349 Idaho $76,267 New Mexico $75,671 Oklahoma $75,540 Alabama $75,058 South Dakota $74,249

Arkansas $73,808 West Virginia $73,571 Mississippi $72,860

Top Paying Cities for Chief Operating Engineers

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:

Parcel Return Service: $89,968
Washington: $89,968
Naval Anacost Annex: $89,964

Parcel Return Service, DC $89,968 Washington, DC $89,968 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $89,964 Washington Navy Yard, DC $89,968

Chief Operating Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on June 01, 2026

$81,603

Average $90,459/year

$103,763

$6,800

Average $7,538/month

$8,647

$1,569

Average $1,740/week

$1,995

$39

Average $43/hour

$50

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$103,763	$8,647	$1,995	$50
Average	$90,459	$7,538	$1,740	$43
25th Percentile	$81,603	$6,800	$1,569	$39

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