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Operating Engineer Salary in Alexandria, Virginia

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$60,990/ year

Median Operating Engineer in Alexandria, VA

$36,900
10th
$45,000
25th
$60,990
Median
$79,000
75th
$96,380
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$60,990
Total compensation (est.)
$70,139
Bonus range
$2,250 – $9,480
Mean salary
$64,649

How This Compares

ℹ

Local BLS metro data isn't available for Alexandria yet — showing the national median as a reference. Add local data →

Alexandria, VA median
$60,990
Virginia median
$62,210-2.0%
National median
$60,990

Cost of living in Alexandria is 0% below the national average. Salary of $60,990 here is equivalent to $60,990 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$43,913-28.0%
3-5 years
$55,501-9.0%
6-10 years
$68,309+12.0%
10+ years
$84,166+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$53,671-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$60,990
Enterprise (5,000+)
$71,968+18.0%

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Operating Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Virginia Beach, VA$60,990/yr
Norfolk, VA$60,990/yr
Chesapeake, VA$60,990/yr
Richmond, VA$60,990/yr
Newport News, VA$60,990/yr

Related Jobs in Alexandria

Electrician$61,590/yr
Plumber$61,550/yr
HVAC Technician$57,300/yr
Carpenter$56,590/yr
Welder$47,010/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$29/hr
Monthly gross$5,083/mo
25th percentile$45,000/yr
75th percentile$79,000/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Virginia Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.6%+0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Operating Engineer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Operating Engineer salary in Alexandria?

The median Operating Engineer salary in Alexandria is $60,990 per year, with a range from $45,000 at the 25th percentile to $79,000 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Operating Engineer pay in Alexandria compare to the national average?

Operating Engineer salaries in Alexandria are 0% above the national median of $60,990. After adjusting for Alexandria's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $60,990 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Operating Engineer salaries in Alexandria?

In Alexandria, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Operating Engineer roles start around $36,900, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $96,380 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Alexandria a good place for Operating Engineer jobs?

Alexandria offers a Operating Engineer median of $60,990, which is 0% above the US median of $60,990. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Alexandria is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Operating Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Operating Engineer in Alexandria is $79,000, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.