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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Trenton, NJ

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$69,800

Mean: $82,660

~$54,444 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$33.56

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

A

Very affordable

Affordability score: 100/100

Monthly surplus

$2,137/mo

Savings rate

46%

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Trenton, NJ — median $69,800/year, range $62,140-$119,340

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$62,140

Median

$69,800

75th %

$119,340

Median is in the 13th percentile of the typical range

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in other NJ cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in NJ.

About Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries in Trenton, NJ

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $69,800 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $82,660, 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 $62,140 and $119,340. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $33.56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

8% growthFaster than average (BLS 2024–2034)

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Trenton?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $69,800. The average (mean) is $82,660, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make per hour in Trenton?

About $33.56/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 Trenton?

The middle 50% earn between $62,140 and $119,340. Below $62,140 is typically entry-level; above $119,340 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $69,800 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$69,800$54,444
Monthly$5,817$4,537
Biweekly$2,685$2,094
Weekly$1,342$1,047
Hourly (40h/wk)$33.56$26.18
Hourly (35h/wk)$38.35$29.91
Hourly (30h/wk)$44.74$34.9
Daily (8h)$268$209

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.

Related Occupations in Trenton

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