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Heavy machinery operator salary
Average heavy machinery operator salary
$15.07
Heavy Machinery Operator Salary Insights
The average salary for a Heavy Machinery Operator stands at $31,351 annually, which translates to about $15 per hour. Salaries can differ significantly based on factors such as experience level, location, and industry. For example, operators with specialized skills in urban areas often earn more than their counterparts in rural settings.
Average Salary by State
In states like Texas and California, salaries can reach upwards of $40,000 annually due to higher demand and cost of living. Conversely, states with lower demand may see average salaries closer to $25,000.
Highest Paying Cities
Some of the top-paying cities for this profession include Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City. In these metropolitan areas, operators can expect salaries that exceed the national average, reflecting the higher living costs and increased demand.
Career Opportunities
With the construction and logistics sectors booming, the demand for skilled heavy machinery operators continues to grow. This trend indicates a favorable job outlook for applicants, especially those who pursue additional certifications or training.
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Where can a Heavy Machinery Operator earn more?
Heavy machinery operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level heavy machinery operator | $21,300 | $10.22 |
| Mid-level heavy machinery operator | $31,800 | $15.27 |
| Senior-level heavy machinery operator | $42,600 | $20.50 |
Average heavy machinery operator salary by state
The average heavy machinery operator salary in Alaska, New Hampshire, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average heavy machinery operator salary states are Tennessee, Texas, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for heavy machinery operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $56,283 | $27.06 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $46,233 | $22.23 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $42,221 | $20.30 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $35,831 | $17.23 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| 6 | Montana | $35,339 | $16.99 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $48,418 | $23.28 |
| 8 | Ohio | $38,402 | $18.46 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $34,197 | $16.44 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $38,665 | $18.59 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $42,173 | $20.28 |
| 12 | Indiana | $37,424 | $17.99 |
| 13 | Utah | $33,909 | $16.30 |
| 14 | New York | $42,954 | $20.65 |
| 15 | Washington | $39,351 | $18.92 |
| 16 | Maine | $34,001 | $16.35 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $32,741 | $15.74 |
| 18 | Iowa | $32,659 | $15.70 |
| 19 | Oregon | $36,577 | $17.59 |
| 20 | Illinois | $36,552 | $17.57 |
| 21 | Vermont | $36,579 | $17.59 |
| 22 | Nevada | $32,731 | $15.74 |
| 23 | Idaho | $31,642 | $15.21 |
| 24 | California | $37,513 | $18.04 |
| 25 | Missouri | $34,209 | $16.45 |
| 26 | Michigan | $32,846 | $15.79 |
| 27 | Maryland | $34,719 | $16.69 |
| 28 | Colorado | $31,121 | $14.96 |
| 29 | Delaware | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $32,853 | $15.79 |
| 31 | Kansas | $29,008 | $13.95 |
| 32 | District of Columbia | $29,675 | $14.27 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $29,395 | $14.13 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $29,265 | $14.07 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $27,873 | $13.40 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | $29,408 | $14.14 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $28,991 | $13.94 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $28,772 | $13.83 |
| 39 | Virginia | $29,771 | $14.31 |
| 40 | Arizona | $28,757 | $13.83 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $26,778 | $12.87 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $26,177 | $12.59 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $27,481 | $13.21 |
| 44 | Florida | $26,976 | $12.97 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $24,956 | $12.00 |
| 46 | Texas | $25,271 | $12.15 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $27,161 | $13.06 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $25,548 | $12.28 |
| 49 | Alabama | $23,676 | $11.38 |
| 50 | Georgia | $24,466 | $11.76 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $23,320 | $11.21 |
Highest paying cities for heavy machinery operators
The highest-paying cities for heavy machinery operators are Reedley, CA, Columbus, OH, and Frisco, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reedley, CA | $38,724 | $18.62 |
| 2 | Columbus, OH | $37,806 | $18.18 |
| 3 | Frisco, TX | $25,295 | $12.16 |
| 4 | Jacksonville, AR | $24,723 | $11.89 |
| 5 | Olive Branch, MS | $23,784 | $11.43 |
Heavy machinery operator salary details
A heavy machinery operator's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a heavy machinery operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,351 | $2,613 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying heavy machinery operator jobs
The highest paying types of heavy machinery operators are road machine runner, heavy equipment operator and foreman, and foreman/operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Operator/Labour | $33,959 | $2,830 | $16.33 | 60,770 |
| Engineering Equipment Operator | $43,840 | $3,653 | $21.08 | 98,148 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Lighting Equipment Operator | $38,105 | $3,175 | $18.32 | 44,772 |
| Equipment Operator | $31,739 | $2,645 | $15.26 | 62,473 |
| Labour Operator | $34,180 | $2,848 | $16.43 | 61,894 |
Top companies hiring heavy machinery operators now:
Which companies pay heavy machinery operators the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dairy Farmers of America | $42,301 | $20.34 |
| 2 | Adecco | $31,352 | $15.07 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Heavy Machinery Operator salary by industry
The average heavy machinery operator salary varies across industries:
- The average heavy machinery operator salary in the automotive industry is $36,835, the highest of any industry.
- The average heavy machinery operator salary in the finance industry is $35,535.
- Heavy machinery operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $29,090, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for heavy machinery operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Automotive | $36,835 | $17.71 |
| 2 | Government | $35,535 | $17.08 |
| 3 | Construction | $34,524 | $16.60 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $34,045 | $16.37 |
| 5 | Retail | $29,090 | $13.99 |
High paying heavy machinery operator jobs
Heavy machinery operator salary trends
The average heavy machinery operator salary has risen by $5,203 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average heavy machinery operator earned $26,148 annually, but today, they earn $31,351 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for heavy machinery operators over the last decade.
Compare heavy machinery operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average heavy machinery operator salary over time
Compare heavy machinery operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Heavy machinery operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,400 | $15.07 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $30,900 | $14.83 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $30,100 | $14.48 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $29,600 | $14.25 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $28,900 | $13.90 | +2.8% |
Recently added heavy machinery operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norlift, Inc. | Heavy Machinery Sales (Commission) | Spokane, WA | 05/25/2025 | $36,000 |
| Cerberus Business Finance, LLC | Operator, Assembly Machinery | Shakopee, MN | 02/18/2025 | $52,175 |
| Shakopeemn | Operator, Assembly Machinery | Shakopee, MN | 02/18/2025 | $52,175 |
| Stuart Contractors, LLC | Heavy Machinery Operator | Maryland | 02/18/2025 | $50,088 |
| Moonlightcompanies | Machinery/Bagging Operator (DAY Shift) | Reedley, CA | 02/17/2025 | $33,392 |
| The Imagine Group | Operator, Assembly Machinery | Shakopee, MN | 02/15/2025 | $52,175 |
| Mesa Contracting LLC | Heavy Machinery Operator | Sherwood, OR | 12/06/2024 | $62,610 |
| Mason Road Sheet Metal | Plasma Machinery Operator | Houston, TX | 11/25/2024 | $35,479 |
| Manpowergroup | Skilled Machinery Operator | Columbus, IN | 11/21/2024 | $35,479 |
| Moonlightcompanies | Machinery/Bagging Operator (DAY Shift) | Reedley, CA | 10/10/2024 | $33,392 |
Heavy machinery operator salary FAQs
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