Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary
in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Middle 50%
- $78,580–$117,350
- vs U.S. median
- +72%
- Metro rank
- #6 of 433
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median of $103,100 a year, based on BLS estimates for 7,930 jobs (May 2025). That is 72% above the U.S. median of $59,850 and 5% above the IL statewide median of $97,740. It ranks #6 of 433 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE7,930 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in other IL metros
7 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| Rockford, IL | $97,250 |
| Springfield, IL | $95,310 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $94,410 |
| Peoria, IL | $86,440 |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $85,130 |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $79,640 |
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $64,590 |
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RELATED JOBS IN CHICAGO
- Construction Laborersmedian $60,890 · 26,690 jobs
- Electriciansmedian $102,350 · 17,720 jobs
- Carpentersmedian $80,440 · 14,220 jobs
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfittersmedian $103,380 · 12,750 jobs
- Painters, Construction and Maintenancemedian $61,740 · 5,480 jobs
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishersmedian $81,020 · 3,890 jobs
- Roofersmedian $82,090 · 3,900 jobs
- Sheet Metal Workersmedian $95,310 · 2,430 jobs
Questions
What is the average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Chicago?
The BLS median is $103,100 a year (May 2025). Half of the 7,930 jobs pay between $78,580 and $117,350. The 10th percentile is $58,060 and the 90th is $124,160.
Is Chicago a high-paying metro for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
That is 72% above the U.S. median of $59,850 and 5% above the IL statewide median of $97,740. It ranks #6 of 433 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make an hour in Chicago?
About $49.57 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $103,100 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $37.78–$56.42 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.