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Average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area earn an impressive average annual salary of $74,100. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $66,680, indicating a strong local demand and potentially higher skill requirements for these roles within the region. The robust compensation reflects the economic activity and construction demands specific to this metropolitan area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $74,100 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 4.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $110,470.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 5,360 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington region demonstrates a substantial presence in this sector. The Location Quotient of 0.61 suggests that while the concentration is slightly below the national average, the sheer volume of jobs per 1,000 workers (1.867) points to a stable and active job market. This indicates consistent opportunities for skilled professionals in the area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$74,100

The average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns+11.1%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$35.6

Weekly

$1,425

Monthly

$6,175

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Career progression for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators typically involves a significant salary increase from entry-level to senior positions. While specific percentile data is unavailable, the gap between starting wages and the $74,100 average suggests that experienced professionals command higher pay. This progression is often tied to acquiring specialized certifications, operating more complex machinery, and taking on greater project responsibilities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$47,380$22.8
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$55,575$26.7
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$66,700$32.1
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$92,625$44.5
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$110,470$53.1

Detailed Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$74,100

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$74,100

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $74,100 for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of this salary is equivalent to the national average, providing a stable financial standing for professionals residing in the area without the added pressure of a higher cost of living impacting their take-home pay.

Job Market Context

5,360

Total Jobs

1.867

Per 1K Jobs

0.61

Location Quotient

Below Average

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 0.61x the national average concentration of Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

The Location Quotient of 0.61 for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington indicates that this occupation is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while the profession is present and active, the market may not be oversaturated, potentially leading to competitive opportunities for skilled individuals. The jobs per 1,000 workers metric further reinforces that there are consistent employment opportunities within the region.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

CitySalaryDist.
Trenton-Princeton, NJ Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary$85,890↑ 16%28 mi
Vineland, NJ Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary$80,850↑ 9%35 mi
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary$61,990↓ 16%47 mi
Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary$55,730↓ 25%47 mi
Reading, PA Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary$58,930↓ 20%48 mi

Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The median annual salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $74,100. This typically ranges from $47,380 for entry-level positions to $110,470 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 11.1% higher than the national median of $66,680.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorss?

Yes, it is a lucrative place.The average salary of $74,100 is notably higher than the national average, and with a cost of living index at par with the national average, the purchasing power is strong.

Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?

The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($85,890) and Vineland, NJ.

How does the Philadelphia-area salary compare to the national average for this role?

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area earn an average of $74,100 annually, which is $7,420 more than the national average of $66,680.

What is the Cost of Living in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?

The Cost of Living Index for the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area is 100, which is exactly the national average. This means that the general cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the country.

How many Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators work in the Philadelphia area?

There are approximately 5,360 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators employed in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area.

Is there high demand for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Philadelphia?

With 1.867 jobs per 1,000 workers and a substantial local workforce, the demand appears steady, though the Location Quotient of 0.61 suggests it's slightly less concentrated than the national average.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 5,360 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 1.867 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

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Semantic Salary Analysis for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD