LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Ames, IA · Generated June 4, 2026
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Ames, IA $62,400/yr
$62,400
Mean: $62,770
~$48,672 est. take-home
$30.00
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$55,690
Median
$62,400
75th %
$66,050
Median is in the 65th percentile of the typical range
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in other IA cities
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About Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries in Ames, IA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Ames, IA earn a median of $62,400 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $62,770, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in this area earn between $55,690 and $66,050. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $30.00 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.
Career Outlook
8% growth. Federal infrastructure money is flowing, and it takes operators to run the excavators, bulldozers, and cranes. GPS-guided equipment and drone-assisted grading are the new standard — operators who can use the tech earn more.
Worth knowing: Union apprenticeship programs (IUOE) are the best entry path: you earn while you learn, and journeyman rates are $40–$60/hour depending on the region. Overtime on federal projects pays time-and-a-half.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Jobs in Ames, IA
Median: $62,400/yr — browse openings that fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Ames?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $62,400. The average (mean) is $62,770, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make per hour in Ames?▾
About $30.00/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.
What is the salary range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Ames?▾
The middle 50% earn between $55,690 and $66,050. Below $55,690 is typically entry-level; above $66,050 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $62,400 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $62,400 | $48,672 |
| Monthly | $5,200 | $4,056 |
| Biweekly | $2,400 | $1,872 |
| Weekly | $1,200 | $936 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $30 | $23.4 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $34.29 | $26.74 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $40 | $31.2 |
| Daily (8h) | $240 | $187 |
Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.
Top 10 cities nationwide for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, based on BLS median salary data.
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