Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Employment & Job Outlook in Colorado (2024)

Colorado employs 11,920 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Colorado employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
11,920
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
11.92
workers
Location Quotient
1.35
vs national avg
Average Salary
$59K
annual

High Demand in Colorado

The location quotient (LQ) of 1.35 indicates that Colorado has a higher-than-average concentration of Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Colorado vs National Average

Total Employed
11,920
National: 450,370
2.6% of national
Jobs per 1,000
11.92
National: 8.83
+35.0%
Average Salary
$59K
National: $62K
-4.7%

Top States by Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Employment

#1
49,120
49,120
employed
#2
32,690
32,690
employed
#3
27,540
27,540
employed
#4
21,210
21,210
employed
#5
15,510
15,510
employed
#6
14,910
14,910
employed
#7
14,850
14,850
employed
#8
13,060
13,060
employed
#9
12,710
12,710
employed
#10
11,920
11,920
employed

What Does a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Earn in Colorado?

The average annual salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Colorado is $59,470. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators jobs are there in Colorado?

Colorado employs approximately 11,920 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks Colorado among the top states nationwide.

Is Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in demand in Colorado?

Yes — Colorado has above-average concentration of Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators jobs (LQ: 1.35). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Colorado?

The average (mean) salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Colorado is $59470/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators professionals?

The top state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators employment is Texas with 49,120 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (SOC 472073) in Colorado.

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in Colorado Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook