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This question is about what a heavy equipment operator does, heavy equipment operator, and heavy equipment operator jobs.
Which heavy equipment operators make the most money?
Crane and backhoe heavy equipment operators typically make the most money. The national average salary for all heavy equipment operators is around $35,000 to $40,000 in a year. This equals about $15 to $20 an hour for an hourly wage.
The lowest-paid heavy equipment operators are only paid $23,000 a year, while the highest-paid heavy equipment operators can reach over $70,000 in total annual salary. While the lowest paid heavy equipment operators are well below the average salary across all jobs in the United States, the highest salaries are significantly above.
Heavy equipment operator salaries vary significantly, and this depends on various factors. The factors include location, experience, education, industry, and company.
Heavy equipment operator salaries can vary greatly depending on location, with the highest paying jobs in the state of Illinois averaging around $79,000 a year. A person finds similar jumps in salary depending on education levels, with operators with an associate's degree making significantly more than those without one.
Experience has a tremendous impact on salary for heavy equipment operators. If a person moves into a slightly higher position, like a heavy equipment supervisor or a heavy equipment engineer, the salary levels jump drastically.
A heavy equipment engineer earns around $86,000 to $100,000 a year, and a forklift supervisor earns about $80,000. These are both much higher than the average annual salary.
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