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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Altoona, PA

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$50,790

Mean: $53,210

~$39,616 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$24.42

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

B

Affordable

Affordability score: 74/100

Monthly surplus

$1,065/mo

Savings rate

30%

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Altoona, PA — median $50,790/year, range $48,930-$56,900

Salary Distribution

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

25th %

$48,930

Median

$50,790

75th %

$56,900

Median is in the 23th percentile of the typical range

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in other PA cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in PA.

About Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries in Altoona, PA

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Altoona, PA earn a median of $50,790 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $53,210, 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 $48,930 and $56,900. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $24.42 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 Altoona?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $50,790. The average (mean) is $53,210, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

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

About $24.42/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 Altoona?

The middle 50% earn between $48,930 and $56,900. Below $48,930 is typically entry-level; above $56,900 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $50,790 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$50,790$39,616
Monthly$4,233$3,301
Biweekly$1,953$1,524
Weekly$977$762
Hourly (40h/wk)$24.42$19.05
Hourly (35h/wk)$27.91$21.77
Hourly (30h/wk)$32.56$25.39
Daily (8h)$195$152

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 Altoona

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