Montana ranks 25th of 51 states and D.C. for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($105,440) by $45,310 — a 75% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $46,450 to $77,720 — a $31,270 spread, 48% tighter than the national $60,610 range.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are more concentrated in Montana than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 2.33 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.33× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| 25th percentile | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,130 | $28.91 |
| 75th percentile | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,720 | $37.36 |
| Mean (average) | $61,480 | $29.56 |
How Montana Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Montana (current) | $60,130 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $105,440 | +75% |
| Illinois | $96,980 | +61% |
| California | $89,120 | +48% |
| New Jersey | $84,170 | +40% |
| New York | $80,260 | +33% |
| Washington | $79,190 | +32% |
| Minnesota | $78,580 | +31% |
| Connecticut | $76,690 | +28% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Montana
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Chemists | $60,100 | 260 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $60,200 | 560 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $60,050 | 490 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $59,970 | 320 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $59,960 | 430 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $60,300 | 4,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Montana?
The mean operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Montana is $61,480 per year. The median (middle) salary is $60,130 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Montana?
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorss (10th percentile) in Montana typically earn around $46,450 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $52,880 per year.
What is the highest Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Montana?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Montana make approximately $77,720 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $68,970 per year.
How does the Montana Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary compare to the national average?
The median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Montana is $60,130, which is +2% above national average of $58,710.