Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Helena, MT

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Helena, MT have a median annual salary of $62,570, with 220 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $47,520 at the 10th percentile to $80,280 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$62,570

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$30.08

Employment

220

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$47,520
10th
$59,590
25th
$62,570
Median
$65,350
75th
$80,280
90th

Local compared with national

Helena, MT

$62,570

Median annual · 2025

United States

$59,850

Median annual · 2025

The Helena, MT median is 4.5% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,720).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.3
  3. 3.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.3
  4. 4.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  6. 6.TroubleshootingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.9
  9. 9.SpeakingImportance 2.9
  10. 10.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.9
  11. 11.Active LearningImportance 2.9
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Maintenance record software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Work record software

Common tasks

  • Learn and follow safety regulations.
  • Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
  • Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
  • Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
  • Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
  • Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
  • Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.
  • Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
  • Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
  • Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in Helena, MT