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Operating Engineer Salary in Boston, Massachusetts

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$40/ year

Median Operating Engineer in Boston, MA

$25
10th
$30
25th
$40
Median
$52
75th
$63
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$40
Total compensation (est.)
$46
Bonus range
$2,250 – $9,480
Mean salary
$42

How This Compares

Boston, MA median
$40
Massachusetts median
$62,210-99.9%
National median
$60,990-99.9%

Cost of living in Boston is 48% above the national average. Salary of $40 here is equivalent to $27 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$29-27.5%
3-5 years
$36-10.0%
6-10 years
$45+12.5%
10+ years
$55+37.5%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$35-12.5%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$40
Enterprise (5,000+)
$47+17.5%

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Operating Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Worcester, MA$60,990/yr
Springfield, MA$60,990/yr
Cambridge, MA$60,990/yr
Lowell, MA$60,990/yr
Brockton, MA$60,990/yr

Related Jobs in Boston

Electrician$91,153/yr
Plumber$91,094/yr
HVAC Technician$84,804/yr
Carpenter$83,753/yr
Welder$69,575/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$0/hr
Monthly gross$3/mo
25th percentile$30/yr
75th percentile$52/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

Massachusetts Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.8%+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 Boston?

The median Operating Engineer salary in Boston is $40 per year, with a range from $30 at the 25th percentile to $52 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 Boston compare to the national average?

Operating Engineer salaries in Boston are 100% below the national median of $60,990. After adjusting for Boston's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $27 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Operating Engineer salaries in Boston?

In Boston, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Operating Engineer roles start around $25, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $63 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Boston a good place for Operating Engineer jobs?

Boston offers a Operating Engineer median of $40, which is 100% below the US median of $60,990. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Boston is 48% more expensive 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 Boston is $52, 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.