DOCTYPE html
Research Summary. Through comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest insights into equipment operator salaries across the United States as of 2026:
-
Connecticut boasts the highest equipment operator salary at $45,629
-
Mississippi offers the lowest equipment operator salary at $21,157
-
The national average salary for equipment operators stands at $31,739
-
The national hourly wage for equipment operators is $15.26
For more detailed information, refer to our specific methodology.
Background
When considering career options, salary consistently ranks as the top priority for most individuals. A common question is, “How much do equipment operators earn in my area?”
While various factors influence your specific earnings, data on average salaries for equipment operators by state is readily available. This information is broken down by seniority level, providing an informative overview of potential earnings.
Currently, Connecticut leads with the highest average salary for equipment operators in the nation.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the top ten states for equipment operator salaries:
Let’s delve into how these salaries are structured and view a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Equipment Operators By State
| Rank | State | Average Equipment Operator Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $45,629 | $36,000 | $57,000 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $44,909 | $36,000 | $55,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $44,767 | $35,000 | $56,000 |
| 4 | California | $41,909 | $30,000 | $56,000 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $40,772 | $31,000 | $52,000 |
| 6 | Washington | $39,758 | $31,000 | $50,000 |
| 7 | Illinois | $38,047 | $30,000 | $48,000 |
| 8 | Oregon | $38,017 | $29,000 | $49,000 |
| 9 | Alaska | $37,540 | $33,000 | $42,000 |
| 10 | New York | $36,286 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 11 | Indiana | $35,988 | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| 12 | Colorado | $35,060 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $35,034 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $34,803 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 15 | Maryland | $34,787 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 16 | Ohio | $34,294 | $26,000 | $43,000 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $33,898 | $27,000 | $42,000 |
| 18 | Michigan | $33,722 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 19 | Utah | $33,517 | $25,000 | $43,000 |
| 20 | Missouri | $33,303 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $33,169 | $25,000 | $42,000 |
| 22 | Vermont | $32,844 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 23 | Iowa | $32,726 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $32,712 | $26,000 | $41,000 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $32,077 | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $32,005 | $27,000 | $37,000 |
| 27 | Nevada | $31,534 | $23,000 | $41,000 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $30,793 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 29 | Virginia | $30,644 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 30 | Maine | $30,499 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $30,487 | $25,000 | $36,000 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $30,344 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 33 | Delaware | $30,324 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
| 34 | Montana | $30,030 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 35 | Idaho | $29,386 | $22,000 | $37,000 |
| 36 | West Virginia | $27,794 | $21,000 | $35,000 |
| 37 | Arizona | $27,776 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 38 | Kansas | $27,670 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $27,070 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $26,887 | $21,000 | $34,000 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $25,987 | $20,000 | $33,000 |
| 42 | Georgia | $24,593 | $19,000 | $31,000 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $24,373 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| 44 | Texas | $24,068 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $23,511 | $18,000 | $29,000 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $23,390 | $18,000 | $29,000 |
| 47 | Florida | $22,903 | $17,000 | $29,000 |
| 48 | Alabama | $21,733 | $17,000 | $27,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $21,584 | $17,000 | $26,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $21,157 | $16,000 | $26,000 |
Methodology: Equipment Operator Salary By State
To accurately assess equipment operator salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reliable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We also incorporate real-time salary information from job listings. The data science team then calculates a weighted average to determine the average salary for equipment operators across each state.
This average annual salary data has been utilized to rank each state according to the highest average salary for equipment operators.
Equipment Operator Salary By State FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid state for equipment operators?
The highest-paid state for equipment operators is Connecticut with an average salary of $45,629 per year.
-
What city pays equipment operators the most?
Indianapolis, IN pays equipment operators the highest with an average salary of $35,980 per year.
-
What is the worst state for equipment operators?
The lowest-paying state for equipment operators is Mississippi with an average salary of $21,157 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
