Best cities for a heavy equipment operator
The best cities for heavy equipment operators are Reno, NV, Toledo, OH, and Fort Wayne, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for heavy equipment operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for heavy equipment operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a heavy equipment operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for heavy equipment operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for heavy equipment operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a heavy equipment operator. While the absolute best city for heavy equipment operators is Reno, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for heavy equipment operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a heavy equipment operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for heavy equipment operators in 2026
1. Reno, NV
Heavy equipment operator jobs in RenoTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $51,751 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 1.92 2. Toledo, OH
Heavy equipment operator jobs in ToledoTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $43,089 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 2.44 3. Fort Wayne, IN
Heavy equipment operator jobs in Fort WayneTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $43,905 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $64,000 Location quotient: 1.09 4. Bakersfield, CA
Heavy equipment operator jobs in BakersfieldTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $58,113 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 0.80 5. Madison, WI
Heavy equipment operator jobs in MadisonTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $49,507 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Location quotient: 0.45 6. Indianapolis, IN
Heavy equipment operator jobs in IndianapolisTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 37 Average annual salary: $41,942 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 0.85 7. Anchorage, AK
Heavy equipment operator jobs in AnchorageTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $57,037 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 0.36 8. Buffalo, NY
Heavy equipment operator jobs in BuffaloTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $50,638 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $74,000 Location quotient: 0.80 9. Portland, OR
Heavy equipment operator jobs in PortlandTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $50,979 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Location quotient: 0.48 10. Colorado Springs, CO
Heavy equipment operator jobs in Colorado SpringsTotal heavy equipment operator jobs: 37 Average annual salary: $42,878 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 1.55
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Best cities for heavy equipment operators
- Reno, NV
- Toledo, OH
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Bakersfield, CA
- Madison, WI
- Indianapolis, IN
- Anchorage, AK
- Buffalo, NY
- Portland, OR
- Colorado Springs, CO
- (16 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (12 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (7 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (4 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (9 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (37 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (2 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (9 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (18 heavy equipment operator jobs)
- (37 heavy equipment operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a heavy equipment operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $51,751 | $35,000 | 245,255 | 16 |
| 2 | Toledo, OH | $43,089 | $29,000 | 278,508 | 12 |
| 3 | Fort Wayne, IN | $43,905 | $29,000 | 264,488 | 7 |
| 4 | Bakersfield, CA | $58,113 | $39,000 | 376,380 | 4 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $49,507 | $34,000 | 252,551 | 9 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,942 | $28,000 | 855,164 | 37 |
| 7 | Anchorage, AK | $57,037 | $47,000 | 298,192 | 2 |
| 8 | Buffalo, NY | $50,638 | $34,000 | 256,902 | 9 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | $50,979 | $35,000 | 639,863 | 18 |
| 10 | Colorado Springs, CO | $42,878 | $30,000 | 465,101 | 37 |
| 11 | Nashville, TN | $34,354 | $23,000 | 660,388 | 27 |
| 12 | Tucson, AZ | $38,427 | $26,000 | 530,706 | 16 |
| 13 | Memphis, TN | $33,807 | $23,000 | 652,717 | 18 |
| 14 | Laredo, TX | $34,521 | $23,000 | 257,156 | 4 |
| 15 | Jersey City, NJ | $65,310 | $43,000 | 264,152 | 5 |
| 16 | Las Vegas, NV | $48,036 | $32,000 | 632,912 | 8 |
| 17 | Henderson, NV | $47,742 | $32,000 | 292,969 | 1 |
| 18 | Denver, CO | $43,306 | $30,000 | 693,060 | 64 |
| 19 | Saint Louis, MO | $39,382 | $27,000 | 311,404 | 24 |
| 20 | Garland, TX | $34,448 | $23,000 | 234,943 | 22 |
| 21 | Lincoln, NE | $39,616 | $27,000 | 280,364 | 8 |
| 22 | Minneapolis, MN | $50,177 | $35,000 | 413,651 | 8 |
| 23 | Philadelphia, PA | $46,235 | $30,000 | 1,567,872 | 13 |
| 24 | Seattle, WA | $59,366 | $42,000 | 704,352 | 12 |
| 25 | Gilbert, AZ | $39,179 | $26,000 | 237,133 | 2 |
| 26 | Chula Vista, CA | $53,724 | $37,000 | 267,172 | 1 |
| 27 | Tulsa, OK | $34,387 | $23,000 | 403,090 | 8 |
| 28 | Sacramento, CA | $61,233 | $41,000 | 495,234 | 3 |
| 29 | Aurora, CO | $43,259 | $30,000 | 361,710 | 10 |
| 30 | El Paso, TX | $36,968 | $25,000 | 683,080 | 6 |
| 31 | Lubbock, TX | $35,755 | $24,000 | 252,506 | 7 |
| 32 | Corpus Christi, TX | $34,235 | $23,000 | 325,733 | 6 |
| 33 | Fresno, CA | $59,668 | $40,000 | 522,053 | 1 |
| 34 | Milwaukee, WI | $49,944 | $34,000 | 595,047 | 1 |
| 35 | San Jose, CA | $61,536 | $41,000 | 1,025,350 | 6 |
| 36 | Pittsburgh, PA | $45,112 | $30,000 | 303,625 | 6 |
| 37 | Chicago, IL | $52,665 | $36,000 | 2,704,958 | 14 |
| 38 | Newark, NJ | $65,299 | $43,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 39 | Oklahoma City, OK | $34,330 | $23,000 | 638,367 | 15 |
| 40 | Omaha, NE | $39,975 | $28,000 | 446,970 | 11 |
| 41 | Mesa, AZ | $39,195 | $26,000 | 484,587 | 3 |
| 42 | San Francisco, CA | $62,088 | $41,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 43 | Oakland, CA | $61,929 | $41,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 44 | Fremont, CA | $61,680 | $41,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 45 | Boston, MA | $54,174 | $38,000 | 673,184 | 3 |
| 46 | Chesapeake, VA | $40,021 | $26,000 | 237,940 | 2 |
| 47 | Cincinnati, OH | $39,745 | $27,000 | 298,800 | 6 |
| 48 | Stockton, CA | $61,229 | $41,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 49 | Scottsdale, AZ | $39,334 | $27,000 | 246,645 | 5 |
| 50 | Saint Paul, MN | $50,177 | $35,000 | 302,398 | 1 |
Highest paying cities for heavy equipment operators
| Rank | City | Avg. heavy equipment operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trenton, NJ | $65,145 |
| 2 | Worcester, MA | $54,745 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $51,751 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $50,979 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $50,177 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $49,507 |
| 7 | Albany, NY | $49,490 |
| 8 | Columbus, MS | $46,438 |
| 9 | Billings, MT | $44,982 |
| 10 | Fort Collins, CO | $43,622 |
| 11 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,942 |
| 12 | Columbus, OH | $41,534 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $41,216 |
| 14 | Richmond, VA | $40,519 |
| 15 | Lansing, MI | $39,417 |
| 16 | Saint Louis, MO | $39,382 |
| 17 | Tucson, AZ | $38,427 |
| 18 | Des Moines, IA | $38,231 |
| 19 | Charleston, WV | $35,912 |
| 20 | Austin, TX | $34,708 |
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Updated January 8, 2025