Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators, Des Moines
$62,610
BLS OEWS median annual wage in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Middle half of wages roughly $58,290 to $78,250.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US median
- +4.6%
- US median
- $59,850
- Metro RPP
- 91.7
- Middle half
- $58,290 to $78,250
- OEWS employment
- 1,260
- SOC
- 47-2073
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Des Moines pay a median $62,610 (May 2025), 4.6% above the US median of $59,850. At local prices (RPP 91.7), that median buys about what $68,277 buys at US-average prices.
Purchasing power
$62,610 in Des Moines buys about what $68,277 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 91.7, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 84.7 vs all-items 91.7 (US = 100, 2024).
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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in nearby metros
| Metro | Median | Middle half | RPP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $62,610 | $58,290 to $78,250 | 91.7 |
| Birmingham | $54,330 | $47,260 to $60,870 | 91.6 |
| San Francisco | $124,750 | $79,200 to $133,820 | 115.6 |
| Tulsa | $48,420 | $45,410 to $56,760 | 89.2 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.
FAQ
- What is the median salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Des Moines?
- According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $62,610.
- How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
- Local median pay is 4.6% above the national OEWS median of $59,850.
- How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
- BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $62,610 has about the same purchasing power as $68,277 at US-average prices.
- How current is this data?
- Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.