Research Summary. After comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we present the updated details on heavy equipment operator salaries by state across the United States for 2026:
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New Jersey boasts the highest average salary for heavy equipment operators at $65,211.
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Arkansas has the lowest average salary for heavy equipment operators at $25,958.
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The national average salary for heavy equipment operators is $39,822.
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The national hourly wage for heavy equipment operators is $19.15.
You can read more on the specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains the top priority for job seekers across various demographics, making it essential for heavy equipment operators to understand what they can expect to earn in their respective states.
While local salaries may vary slightly from state averages, these figures provide a solid benchmark for what heavy equipment operators can anticipate in terms of compensation.
Currently, New Jersey leads the pack in terms of salaries for heavy equipment operators.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for heavy equipment operator salaries in 2026:
Let’s delve into how these salaries were determined and see the complete ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Heavy Equipment Operators By State
| Rank | State | Average Heavy Equipment Operator Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $65,211 | $43,000 | $96,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $58,830 | $41,000 | $82,000 |
| 3 | California | $57,498 | $39,000 | $84,000 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $57,250 | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| 5 | Alaska | $56,247 | $46,000 | $67,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $54,329 | $38,000 | $77,000 |
| 7 | Illinois | $52,233 | $36,000 | $75,000 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $51,288 | $37,000 | $70,000 |
| 9 | New York | $51,047 | $34,000 | $75,000 |
| 10 | Oregon | $50,964 | $35,000 | $72,000 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $50,104 | $35,000 | $70,000 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $49,958 | $34,000 | $71,000 |
| 13 | Vermont | $49,342 | $35,000 | $68,000 |
| 14 | Nevada | $48,561 | $33,000 | $70,000 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $46,520 | $32,000 | $66,000 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $46,137 | $30,000 | $69,000 |
| 17 | Montana | $45,922 | $33,000 | $63,000 |
| 18 | Idaho | $45,143 | $31,000 | $63,000 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $44,984 | $30,000 | $65,000 |
| 20 | Wyoming | $44,821 | $32,000 | $62,000 |
| 21 | Colorado | $43,289 | $30,000 | $61,000 |
| 22 | Indiana | $42,319 | $29,000 | $61,000 |
| 23 | Ohio | $42,093 | $28,000 | $62,000 |
| 24 | Delaware | $42,060 | $28,000 | $63,000 |
| 25 | Utah | $41,165 | $29,000 | $58,000 |
| 26 | Maryland | $40,748 | $27,000 | $61,000 |
| 27 | Virginia | $40,694 | $27,000 | $60,000 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $40,681 | $29,000 | $57,000 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $40,650 | $34,000 | $47,000 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $39,917 | $27,000 | $57,000 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $39,893 | $28,000 | $56,000 |
| 32 | Michigan | $39,531 | $27,000 | $57,000 |
| 33 | Arizona | $39,291 | $27,000 | $56,000 |
| 34 | Missouri | $39,218 | $27,000 | $55,000 |
| 35 | Iowa | $38,681 | $27,000 | $55,000 |
| 36 | Kansas | $36,970 | $25,000 | $52,000 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $36,871 | $24,000 | $54,000 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $36,342 | $25,000 | $52,000 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $35,209 | $24,000 | $50,000 |
| 40 | Texas | $34,692 | $23,000 | $50,000 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $34,314 | $23,000 | $49,000 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $34,130 | $23,000 | $48,000 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $33,252 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $32,707 | $22,000 | $47,000 |
| 45 | Florida | $31,569 | $22,000 | $44,000 |
| 46 | Maine | $31,345 | $23,000 | $42,000 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $30,687 | $21,000 | $43,000 |
| 48 | Georgia | $30,208 | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| 49 | Alabama | $30,154 | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $25,958 | $18,000 | $37,000 |
Methodology: Heavy Equipment Operator Salary By State
To provide insights into heavy equipment operator salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This data is further enhanced by real-time salaries from job postings. The data science team then computes a weighted average to derive the average pay for heavy equipment operators state by state.
The average annual salary data for heavy equipment operators has been ranked, with the highest-paid state leading the list.
Heavy Equipment Operator Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for heavy equipment operators?
The highest-paid state for heavy equipment operators is New Jersey, with an average salary of $65,211 per year.
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What city pays heavy equipment operators the most?
Trenton, NJ offers the most competitive salary for heavy equipment operators, averaging $65,145 per year.
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What is the worst state for heavy equipment operators?
The state with the lowest average salary for heavy equipment operators is Arkansas, at $25,958 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.
