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Operating Engineer Salary in Wichita, Kansas

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$50,622/ year

Median Operating Engineer in Wichita, KS

$30,627
10th
$37,350
25th
$50,622
Median
$65,570
75th
$79,995
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$50,622
Total compensation (est.)
$58,215
Bonus range
$2,250 – $9,480
Mean salary
$53,659

How This Compares

Wichita, KS median
$50,622
Kansas median
$62,210-18.6%
National median
$60,990-17.0%

Cost of living in Wichita is 0% below the national average. Salary of $50,622 here is equivalent to $50,622 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$36,448-28.0%
3-5 years
$46,066-9.0%
6-10 years
$56,697+12.0%
10+ years
$69,858+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$44,547-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$50,622
Enterprise (5,000+)
$59,734+18.0%

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Operating Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Overland Park, KS$60,990/yr
Kansas City, KS$60,990/yr
Topeka, KS$60,990/yr

Related Jobs in Wichita

Electrician$51,120/yr
Plumber$51,087/yr
HVAC Technician$47,559/yr
Carpenter$46,970/yr
Welder$39,018/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$24/hr
Monthly gross$4,219/mo
25th percentile$37,350/yr
75th percentile$65,570/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

Kansas Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.8%

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 Wichita?

The median Operating Engineer salary in Wichita is $50,622 per year, with a range from $37,350 at the 25th percentile to $65,570 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 Wichita compare to the national average?

Operating Engineer salaries in Wichita are 17% below the national median of $60,990. After adjusting for Wichita's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $50,622 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Operating Engineer salaries in Wichita?

In Wichita, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Operating Engineer roles start around $30,627, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $79,995 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Wichita a good place for Operating Engineer jobs?

Wichita offers a Operating Engineer median of $50,622, which is 17% below the US median of $60,990. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Wichita 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 Wichita is $65,570, 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.