Illinois ranks 2nd of 51 states and D.C. for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($105,440) by $8,460 — a 9% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $50,840 to $120,210 — a $69,370 spread, 14% wider than the national $60,610 range.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are less concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.63 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.59× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 25th percentile | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,980 | $46.62 |
| 75th percentile | $110,330 | $53.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,210 | $57.79 |
| Mean (average) | $90,370 | $43.45 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $96,980 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $105,440 | +9% |
| California | $89,120 | -8% |
| New Jersey | $84,170 | -13% |
| New York | $80,260 | -17% |
| Washington | $79,190 | -18% |
| Minnesota | $78,580 | -19% |
| Connecticut | $76,690 | -21% |
| Rhode Island | $76,030 | -22% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | $97,170 | 3,250 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $96,640 | 10,830 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,570 | 2,280 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $97,470 | 3,470 |
| Dental Hygienists | $96,490 | 8,740 |
| Electricians | $96,360 | 22,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Illinois?
The mean operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Illinois is $90,370 per year. The median (middle) salary is $96,980 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Illinois?
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $50,840 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $68,520 per year.
What is the highest Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $120,210 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $110,330 per year.
How does the Illinois Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary compare to the national average?
The median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Illinois is $96,980, which is +65% above national average of $58,710.