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Operating Engineer Salary in Phoenix, Arizona

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$62,820/ year

Median Operating Engineer in Phoenix, AZ

$38,007
10th
$46,350
25th
$62,820
Median
$81,370
75th
$99,271
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$62,820
Total compensation (est.)
$72,243
Bonus range
$2,250 – $9,480
Mean salary
$66,589

How This Compares

Phoenix, AZ median
$62,820
Arizona median
$62,210+1.0%
National median
$60,990+3.0%

Cost of living in Phoenix is 3% above the national average. Salary of $62,820 here is equivalent to $60,990 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$45,230-28.0%
3-5 years
$57,166-9.0%
6-10 years
$70,358+12.0%
10+ years
$86,692+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$55,282-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$62,820
Enterprise (5,000+)
$74,128+18.0%

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Operating Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Tucson, AZ$60,990/yr
Mesa, AZ$60,990/yr
Chandler, AZ$60,990/yr
Scottsdale, AZ$60,990/yr
Glendale, AZ$60,990/yr

Related Jobs in Phoenix

Electrician$63,438/yr
Plumber$63,397/yr
HVAC Technician$59,019/yr
Carpenter$58,288/yr
Welder$48,420/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$30/hr
Monthly gross$5,235/mo
25th percentile$46,350/yr
75th percentile$81,370/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

Arizona Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.3%

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 Phoenix?

The median Operating Engineer salary in Phoenix is $62,820 per year, with a range from $46,350 at the 25th percentile to $81,370 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 Phoenix compare to the national average?

Operating Engineer salaries in Phoenix are 3% above the national median of $60,990. After adjusting for Phoenix'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 Phoenix?

In Phoenix, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Operating Engineer roles start around $38,007, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $99,271 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Phoenix a good place for Operating Engineer jobs?

Phoenix offers a Operating Engineer median of $62,820, which is 3% above the US median of $60,990. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Phoenix is 3% 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 Phoenix is $81,370, 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.