Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator Salary in Appleton, WI
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $83,010 a year — 39% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,209 take-home, or $5,351 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median operating engineer and other construction equipment operator salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,432
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,147
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,204
- Wisconsin income tax$3,019
- Take-home pay$64,209
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,520 | $27.65 | $46,647 | $3,887 |
| 25th percentile | $67,580 | $32.49 | $54,171 | $4,514 |
| Median (50th) | $83,010 | $39.91 | $64,209 | $5,351 |
| 75th percentile | $95,210 | $45.77 | $72,145 | $6,012 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,330 | $47.75 | $74,825 | $6,235 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $83,010 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median operating engineer and other construction equipment operator's $64,209 take-home pay has the buying power of $69,475 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Appleton, WI has 1.3× the national concentration of operating engineer and other construction equipment operator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #8 of 180 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $124,340 | $87,302 | $79,061 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $117,630 | $84,173 | $75,858 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $124,750 | $87,539 | $75,717 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $103,100 | $76,402 | $73,751 |
| 5 | Evansville, IN | $84,500 | $65,813 | $71,904 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa, CA | $105,080 | $75,845 | $70,367 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $79,530 | $60,895 | $69,489 |
| 8 | Appleton, WI | $83,010 | $64,209 | $69,475 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 180 metros →
Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $83,060
- Milwaukee, WI — $79,430
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Appleton, WI?
The median operating engineer and other construction equipment operator salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $83,010 a year, or about $39.91 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,580 and $95,210.
What is a operating engineer and other construction equipment operator’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $83,010 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $64,209 a year ($5,351 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,019 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a operating engineer and other construction equipment operator?
Pay here is 39% above the national median of $59,850. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $69,475 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #8 of 180 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a operating engineer and other construction equipment operator afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median operating engineer and other construction equipment operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $98,970
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $91,750
- Electrician — $66,830
- Carpenter — $62,490
- Construction Laborer — $59,260