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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Austin, TX

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$50,960

Mean: $54,790

~$39,749 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$24.50

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Austin, TX — median $50,960/year, range $48,020-$61,120

Salary Distribution

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

25th %

$48,020

Median

$50,960

75th %

$61,120

Median is in the 22th percentile of the typical range

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in other TX cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in TX.

About Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries in Austin, TX

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Austin, TX earn a median of $50,960 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $54,790, 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 $48,020 and $61,120. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $24.50 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 Austin?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $50,960. The average (mean) is $54,790, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

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

About $24.50/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 Austin?

The middle 50% earn between $48,020 and $61,120. Below $48,020 is typically entry-level; above $61,120 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $50,960 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$50,960$39,749
Monthly$4,247$3,312
Biweekly$1,960$1,529
Weekly$980$764
Hourly (40h/wk)$24.5$19.11
Hourly (35h/wk)$28$21.84
Hourly (30h/wk)$32.67$25.48
Daily (8h)$196$153

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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