Q: Do heavy equipment operators make good money?

Yes, heavy equipment operators make good money. A heavy equipment operator on average makes $65,500 a year, which is roughly $10,000 higher than the national wage average. A heavy equipment operator can make anywhere between $54,000 and $75,000, with outliers on either side.

Q: Can an operator make 100k?

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as an operator. It is highly unlikely to earn over $100k because the average annual salary for an operator is $35,479. Even operators in higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $50,000 per year.

Q: How much do machine operators make a year?

Machine operators make $28,000 a year. A machine operator, on average, makes $28,000 a year, with salaries ranging anywhere between $23,000 and $34,000. The barrier to entry for a machine operator is incredibly low, but sadly so is the pay rate. People with significant experience may find themselves earning more, though it is usually more beneficial to pursue advancement within the field.

Q: Is being a heavy equipment operator a good job?

Yes, being a heavy equipment operator is a good job. Construction is always a hot commodity and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Heavy equipment operators can make upwards of $65,000, with the best of the best earning nearly $100,000 or more a year.

Q: What percentage of Operators are female?

29.4% of operators are female in the United States. This is -2.3 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female operators has decreased by -1.3 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 243,054 female operators in the U.S. and 583,661 male operators in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 826,715 people with the specific job title of operator and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 1

How long does it take to become an Operator?

Accepted Answer

It takes 3 years of professional experience to become an operator. That is the time it takes to learn specific operator skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Question 2

Do heavy equipment operators make good money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, heavy equipment operators make good money. A heavy equipment operator on average makes $65,500 a year, which is roughly $10,000 higher than the national wage average. A heavy equipment operator can make anywhere between $54,000 and $75,000, with outliers on either side.

Question 3

Is an interaction designer the same as a UX designer?

Accepted Answer

No, an interaction designer is not necessarily the same as a UX designer. Although they are often used interchangeably, they generally focus on the overall user experience design process.

Question 4

What is a good starting salary for an Operator?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for an operator is $24,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for an operator in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for operators is $35,479, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for an operator can vary by state.

Question 5

Can an operator make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as an operator. It is highly unlikely to earn over $100k because the average annual salary for an operator is $35,479. Even operators in higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $50,000 per year.

Question 6

How much do machine operators make a year?

Accepted Answer

Machine operators make $28,000 a year. A machine operator, on average, makes $28,000 a year, with salaries ranging anywhere between $23,000 and $34,000.

The barrier to entry for a machine operator is incredibly low, but sadly so is the pay rate. People with significant experience may find themselves earning more, though it is usually more beneficial to pursue advancement within the field.

Question 7

Is being a heavy equipment operator a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a heavy equipment operator is a good job. Construction is always a hot commodity and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Heavy equipment operators can make upwards of $65,000, with the best of the best earning nearly $100,000 or more a year.

Question 8

What is the highest-paid heavy equipment operator?

Accepted Answer

The highest-paid heavy equipment operator position is the crane operator. Crane operators can make anywhere from $33,500 to $58,500 on average, with the most experienced operators making nearly $100,000 a year.

Question 9

What percentage of Operators are female?

Accepted Answer

29.4% of operators are female in the United States. This is -2.3 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female operators has decreased by -1.3 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 243,054 female operators in the U.S. and 583,661 male operators in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 826,715 people with the specific job title of operator and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 10

What is the job description of an operator?

Accepted Answer

The job description of an operator is someone who monitors and maintains warehouse equipment and machinery. This may include setting up manufacturing equipment, operating the machine equipment, and performing routine inspections and tests on the manufacturing equipment.

Question 11

What should a heavy equipment operator put on a resume?

Accepted Answer

A heavy equipment operator should put information that highlights their training, experience, and commitment to teamwork and safety on a resume.

Heavy equipment operators do much more than drive heavy-duty machinery: they also inspect the equipment, report faults, and observe safety procedures. The role requires appropriate manual skills, good communication, and critical thinking. That's what you need to show on your heavy equipment operator resume.

Frequently asked questions about operators

Questions about becoming an operator