Best cities for a heavy machinery operator

The best cities for heavy machinery operators are Toledo, OH, Cleveland, OH, and Columbus, OH, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for heavy machinery operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for heavy machinery operators in the U.S.

Whether you're starting your career as a heavy machinery operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for heavy machinery operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for heavy machinery operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a heavy machinery operator. While the absolute best city for heavy machinery operators is Toledo, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.

Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for heavy machinery operators in 2024.

If you're looking for a heavy machinery operator job, here are five companies hiring now:

10 best cities for heavy machinery operators in 2025

1. Toledo, OH

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	2
Average annual salary:	$39,492
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$29,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$52,000
Location quotient:	102.65

2. Cleveland, OH

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$39,539
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$29,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$52,000
Location quotient:	0.00

3. Columbus, OH

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	3
Average annual salary:	$37,806
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$28,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$49,000
Location quotient:	15.38

4. Anchorage, AK

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$56,394
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$49,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$63,000
Location quotient:	0.00

5. Fort Wayne, IN

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$38,469
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$29,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$50,000
Location quotient:	0.00

6. Boston, MA

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$46,312
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$35,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$61,000
Location quotient:	0.00

7. Minneapolis, MN

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$42,179
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$33,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$53,000
Location quotient:	0.00

8. Milwaukee, WI

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$38,535
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$29,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$49,000
Location quotient:	0.00

9. Saint Paul, MN

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$42,158
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$33,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$53,000
Location quotient:	0.00

10. Madison, WI

Total heavy machinery operator jobs:	0
Average annual salary:	$38,516
Lowest 10 percent warn:	$29,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$49,000
Location quotient:	0.00

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Best cities for heavy machinery operators

Toledo, OH
Cleveland, OH
Columbus, OH
Anchorage, AK
Fort Wayne, IN
Boston, MA
Minneapolis, MN
Milwaukee, WI
Saint Paul, MN
Madison, WI

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Detailed list of the best cities for a heavy machinery operator

Rank	City	Average salary	Lowest 10% Earn	Population	Job count
1	Toledo, OH	$39,492	$29,000	278,508	2
2	Cleveland, OH	$39,539	$29,000	385,809	-
3	Columbus, OH	$37,806	$28,000	860,090	3
4	Anchorage, AK	$56,394	$49,000	298,192	-
5	Fort Wayne, IN	$38,469	$29,000	264,488	-
6	Boston, MA	$46,312	$35,000	673,184	-
7	Minneapolis, MN	$42,179	$33,000	413,651	-
8	Milwaukee, WI	$38,535	$29,000	595,047	-
9	Saint Paul, MN	$42,158	$33,000	302,398	-
10	Madison, WI	$38,516	$29,000	252,551	-
11	Cincinnati, OH	$36,752	$28,000	298,800	-
12	Brookhaven, NY	$43,247	$31,000	486,040	-
13	Indianapolis, IN	$37,063	$28,000	855,164	-
14	Jersey City, NJ	$42,452	$31,000	264,152	-
15	Islip, NY	$43,091	$31,000	335,543	-
16	Newark, NJ	$42,440	$31,000	281,764	-
17	Oyster Bay, NY	$43,065	$31,000	293,214	-
18	Hempstead, NY	$42,926	$31,000	759,757	-
19	New York, NY	$42,862	$31,000	8,537,673	2
20	Buffalo, NY	$43,276	$32,000	256,902	-
21	Seattle, WA	$39,628	$31,000	704,352	-
22	Chicago, IL	$36,660	$28,000	2,704,958	-
23	Detroit, MI	$32,821	$24,000	672,795	-
24	Reno, NV	$34,860	$26,000	245,255	-
25	Portland, OR	$36,690	$28,000	639,863	-
26	San Francisco, CA	$40,457	$30,000	870,887	-
27	Kansas City, MO	$34,682	$26,000	481,420	-
28	Oakland, CA	$40,356	$30,000	420,005	-
29	Fremont, CA	$40,161	$30,000	233,136	-
30	Saint Louis, MO	$34,053	$26,000	311,404	-
31	Las Vegas, NV	$32,367	$24,000	632,912	-
32	Sacramento, CA	$40,138	$30,000	495,234	-
33	North Las Vegas, NV	$32,324	$24,000	238,702	-
34	San Jose, CA	$40,035	$30,000	1,025,350	-
35	Louisville, KY	$28,847	$22,000	597,337	-
36	Stockton, CA	$39,993	$30,000	307,072	-
37	Henderson, NV	$32,176	$24,000	292,969	-
38	Lexington, KY	$28,810	$22,000	318,449	-
39	Philadelphia, PA	$29,476	$21,000	1,567,872	-
40	Omaha, NE	$29,451	$22,000	446,970	-
41	Fresno, CA	$38,953	$29,000	522,053	-
42	Lincoln, NE	$29,235	$22,000	280,364	-
43	Bakersfield, CA	$37,808	$28,000	376,380	-
44	Pittsburgh, PA	$28,729	$21,000	303,625	-
45	Los Angeles, CA	$36,642	$27,000	3,976,322	-
46	Long Beach, CA	$36,394	$27,000	470,130	-
47	Anaheim, CA	$36,324	$27,000	351,043	-
48	Santa Ana, CA	$36,253	$27,000	334,217	-
49	Albuquerque, NM	$29,180	$22,000	559,277	-
50	Wichita, KS	$28,400	$21,000	389,902	-