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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Champaign, IL

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$92,900

Mean: $85,380

~$72,462 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$44.66

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

A

Very affordable

Affordability score: 100/100

Monthly surplus

$3,846/mo

Savings rate

60%

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Champaign, IL — median $92,900/year, range $63,120-$99,020

Salary Distribution

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

25th %

$63,120

Median

$92,900

75th %

$99,020

Median is in the 83th percentile of the typical range

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in other IL cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in IL.

About Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries in Champaign, IL

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Champaign, IL earn a median of $92,900 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $85,380, 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 $63,120 and $99,020. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $44.66 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 Champaign?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $92,900. The average (mean) is $85,380, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

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

About $44.66/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 Champaign?

The middle 50% earn between $63,120 and $99,020. Below $63,120 is typically entry-level; above $99,020 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $92,900 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$92,900$72,462
Monthly$7,742$6,039
Biweekly$3,573$2,787
Weekly$1,787$1,394
Hourly (40h/wk)$44.66$34.84
Hourly (35h/wk)$51.04$39.81
Hourly (30h/wk)$59.55$46.45
Daily (8h)$357$279

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 Champaign

Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.

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