U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Interior / Engineering Equipment Operating

Job-title file

Engineering Equipment Operating

Design, analyze, and oversee technical systems or infrastructure, ensuring they meet specifications and codes.

721 employees hold this title in Department of Interior. Median total compensation for the role is $69,455, below the department median of $87,331.

Employees: 721
Total payroll: $51.5M
Role median: $69,455
Agency median: $87,331
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$50,213$102,217+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 721 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Engineering Equipment Operating pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — about 478,090 people — is $59,850. Department of Interior pays a median base salary of $69,309 for this role, 16% above that figure — about the 64th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Interior sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$42,190

$48,680

$59,850

$77,170

$101,090

Department of Interior median · $69,309

The bar is the range of annual wages for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Interior’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 718 of 721 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Interior is $69,455, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Engineering Equipment Operating is held in 10 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Interior, the median of $69,455 ranks #6 of 10.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Energy

$121,693 · 14

Presidio Trust

$111,297 · 3

Department of Transportation

$79,459 · 7

Department of Homeland Security

$78,774 · 22

Smithsonian Institution

$77,031 · 3

Department of Veterans Affairs

$66,972 · 226

Department of Agriculture

$66,505 · 472

Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

$65,740 · 2

Inter Bound and Water Community U.S. Section

$65,135 · 23

Median total compensation for the Engineering Equipment Operating role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Adam Nelson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$91,731

Sub-department: Bureau of Land Management
Base pay: $90,367
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,364
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,731
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Boise
Work county: Ada
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,367
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,367
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160160001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

At Department of Interior, Adam Nelson serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Boise, Idaho. Their 2024 pay totaled $91,731. They are classified at grade 10.

Edward Waldo

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$91,369

Sub-department: Bureau of Land Management
Base pay: $91,369
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,369
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,369
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,369
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Edward Waldo is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Interior based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $91,369. They are classified at grade 11.

Curtis Atwood

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$91,369

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $91,369
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,369
Pay grade: 10
Work county: Madison
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,369
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,369
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510000113
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Curtis Atwood works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Interior based in Virginia. Curtis earned $91,369 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Keith Jenkins

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$91,369

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $91,369
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,369
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Washington
Work county: District of Columbia
Work state: District of Columbia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,369
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,369
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 110010001
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Keith Jenkins works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Interior based in Washington, District of Columbia. Keith earned $91,369 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Christian Tranel

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$91,118

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $91,118
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $91,118
Pay grade: 10
Work city: West Glacier
Work county: Flathead
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,118
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,118
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 301235029
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

Christian Tranel holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Interior based in West Glacier, Montana. In 2024, their total compensation was $91,118. Their pay grade is 10.

Richard Johnson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$90,784

Sub-department: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Base pay: $90,784
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,784
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Eufaula
Work county: Barbour
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,784
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,784
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 011050005
Length of Service (Years): 34
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Richard Johnson works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Interior based in Eufaula, Alabama. Richard earned $90,784 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Mervin Garcia

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$90,701

Sub-department: Indian Affairs
Base pay: $90,701
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,701
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Sells
Work county: Pima
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,701
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,701
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040425019
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Mervin Garcia is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Interior based in Sells, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $90,701. They are classified at grade 10.

John Venn

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$90,701

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $90,701
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,701
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Grand Canyon
Work county: Coconino
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,701
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,701
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040223005
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

At Department of Interior, John Venn serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $90,701. They are classified at grade 10.

Joshua Hughes

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$90,367

Sub-department: Bureau of Land Management
Base pay: $90,367
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,367
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Idaho Falls
Work county: Bonneville
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,367
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,367
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160790019
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Joshua Hughes is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Interior based in Idaho Falls, Idaho. 2024 total compensation came to $90,367. They are classified at grade 10.

Bruce Carter

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$90,117

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $90,117
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,117
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Denali Park
Work county: Denali
Work state: Alaska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,117
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,117
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 021546068
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Bruce Carter works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Interior based in Denali Park, Alaska. Bruce earned $90,117 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Stephen O'Connor

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$90,033

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $90,033
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,033
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Arlington
Work county: Arlington
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,033
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,033
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510100013
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

Stephen O'Connor is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Interior based in Arlington, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $90,033. They are classified at grade 10.

Michael Mcallister

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$90,033

Sub-department: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Base pay: $90,033
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,033
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Shepherdstown
Work county: Jefferson
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,033
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,033
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 542420037
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

Michael Mcallister works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Interior based in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Michael earned $90,033 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Benjamin Davis

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$89,783

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $89,783
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,783
Pay grade: 10
Work city: New York - Richmond
Work county: Richmond
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,783
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,783
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170085
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

At Department of Interior, Benjamin Davis serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in New York - Richmond, New York. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,783. They are classified at grade 10.

Steven Grissom

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$89,658

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $89,658
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,658
Pay grade: 10
Work city: San Francisco
Work county: San Francisco
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,658
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,658
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063290075
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Steven Grissom is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Interior based in San Francisco, California. 2024 total compensation came to $89,658. They are classified at grade 10.

Michael Morrell

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$89,449

Sub-department: Bureau of Reclamation
Base pay: $89,449
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,449
Pay grade: 00
Work city: Yuma
Work county: Yuma
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,449
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,449
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040620027
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): BL

At Department of Interior, Michael Morrell serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Yuma, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,449. They are classified at grade 00.

Michael Bernhardt

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Interior

2024 total comp

$89,407

Sub-department: National Park Service
Base pay: $89,407
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,407
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Estes Park
Work county: Larimer
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,407
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,407
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080760069
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

At Department of Interior, Michael Bernhardt serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Estes Park, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $89,407. They are classified at grade 11.