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Engineering equipment operator salary
Average engineering equipment operator salary
$43,840
Average Engineering Equipment Operator Salary
The average salary for an Engineering Equipment Operator in the United States is $43,840 per year, translating to approximately $21 per hour. Salaries can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specific industry sectors.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions tend to start lower, while those with more experience can earn significantly more. For instance, operators with over five years of experience can see their salaries rise to $50,000 or more.
Highest Paying States
Operators in states like California and Texas often report higher earnings, reflecting local demand and cost of living considerations. In contrast, states with fewer job opportunities may offer lower salaries.
Job Opportunities
As industries evolve, the demand for skilled operators continues to grow, providing ample opportunities for career advancement. Consider seeking positions in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and utilities, where the need for engineering equipment operators remains strong.
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Where can an Engineering Equipment Operator earn more?
Engineering equipment operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level engineering equipment operator | $29,700 | $14.29 |
| Mid-level engineering equipment operator | $44,400 | $21.36 |
| Senior-level engineering equipment operator | $59,600 | $28.66 |
Engineering equipment operator salary estimates from across the web
Average engineering equipment operator salary by state
The average engineering equipment operator salary in Alaska, Connecticut, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average engineering equipment operator salary states are Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for engineering equipment operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $74,120 | $35.63 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $59,396 | $28.56 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $59,843 | $28.77 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $67,771 | $32.58 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $65,929 | $31.70 |
| 6 | New York | $66,167 | $31.81 |
| 7 | Washington | $51,603 | $24.81 |
| 8 | Illinois | $60,526 | $29.10 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $45,273 | $21.77 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $50,755 | $24.40 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $54,303 | $26.11 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $44,914 | $21.59 |
| 13 | Colorado | $47,796 | $22.98 |
| 14 | Montana | $44,683 | $21.48 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $44,009 | $21.16 |
| 16 | Utah | $44,756 | $21.52 |
| 17 | Oregon | $53,697 | $25.82 |
| 18 | California | $56,938 | $27.37 |
| 19 | Maryland | $48,984 | $23.55 |
| 20 | Indiana | $45,882 | $22.06 |
| 21 | Ohio | $47,905 | $23.03 |
| 22 | Michigan | $44,727 | $21.50 |
| 23 | Idaho | $41,659 | $20.03 |
| 24 | Delaware | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| 25 | Maine | $42,477 | $20.42 |
| 26 | Nevada | $44,377 | $21.34 |
| 27 | Iowa | $42,032 | $20.21 |
| 28 | Vermont | $47,223 | $22.70 |
| 29 | District of Columbia | $41,878 | $20.13 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $41,946 | $20.17 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $39,169 | $18.83 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $38,685 | $18.60 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $37,345 | $17.95 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $41,722 | $20.06 |
| 35 | Missouri | $43,348 | $20.84 |
| 36 | Arizona | $39,425 | $18.95 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $37,682 | $18.12 |
| 38 | Kansas | $37,834 | $18.19 |
| 39 | Virginia | $37,902 | $18.22 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $37,461 | $18.01 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $32,811 | $15.77 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $36,445 | $17.52 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $30,893 | $14.85 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $33,917 | $16.31 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $30,338 | $14.59 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $33,134 | $15.93 |
| 47 | Florida | $34,149 | $16.42 |
| 48 | Alabama | $30,710 | $14.76 |
| 49 | Texas | $31,583 | $15.18 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $29,089 | $13.99 |
| 51 | Georgia | $31,361 | $15.08 |
Highest paying cities for engineering equipment operators
The highest-paying cities for engineering equipment operators are New York, NY, San Jose, CA, and Wayne, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $66,182 | $31.82 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $60,639 | $29.15 |
| 3 | Wayne, NJ | $60,179 | $28.93 |
| 4 | Salem, OR | $53,844 | $25.89 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $51,981 | $24.99 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| 7 | Key West, FL | $32,823 | $15.78 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $30,948 | $14.88 |
| 9 | Wilson, NC | $29,965 | $14.41 |
Engineering equipment operator salary details
An engineering equipment operator's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $60,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an engineering equipment operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| Average | $43,840 | $3,653 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying engineering equipment operator jobs
The highest paying types of engineering equipment operators are road machine runner, operating engineer apprentice, and heavy equipment operator and foreman.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Labour Operator | $34,180 | $2,848 | $16.43 | 61,894 |
| Grader Operator | $46,011 | $3,834 | $22.12 | 35,424 |
| Dozer Operator | $44,340 | $3,695 | $21.32 | 35,584 |
| Equipment Operator/Labour | $33,959 | $2,830 | $16.33 | 60,770 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $39,822 | $3,319 | $19.15 | 47,261 |
Top companies hiring engineering equipment operators now:
Which companies pay engineering equipment operators the most?
Engineering equipment operator salaries at ConocoPhillips and Forest are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average engineering equipment operator salary at companies like National Park Foundation and Exelon are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ConocoPhillips | $51,612 | $24.81 |
| 2 | Forest Manufacturing Co | $47,512 | $22.84 |
| 3 | National Park Foundation | $46,461 | $22.34 |
| 4 | Exelon | $46,040 | $22.13 |
| 5 | Blue Origin | $44,077 | $21.19 |
| 6 | QuantumScape | $43,195 | $20.77 |
| 7 | Indian Health Service | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| 8 | Air National Guard | $38,931 | $18.72 |
| 9 | Diamond Foundry | $38,606 | $18.56 |
| 10 | United States Army Corps of Engineers | $38,165 | $18.35 |
| 11 | Bureau of Land Management | $37,794 | $18.17 |
| 12 | Entegris | $36,483 | $17.54 |
| 13 | City of Augusta | $35,472 | $17.05 |
| 14 | Shelton Co Inc | $34,086 | $16.39 |
| 15 | Ira Green | $30,769 | $14.79 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Engineering Equipment Operator salary by industry
The average engineering equipment operator salary varies across industries:
- The average engineering equipment operator salary in the energy industry is $45,029, the highest of any industry.
- The average engineering equipment operator salary in the finance industry is $43,204.
- Engineering equipment operators in the government industry earn an average salary of $34,019, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for engineering equipment operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy | $45,029 | $21.65 |
| 2 | Construction | $43,204 | $20.77 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $38,182 | $18.36 |
| 4 | Government | $34,019 | $16.36 |
High paying engineering equipment operator jobs
Engineering equipment operator salary trends
The average engineering equipment operator salary has risen by $7,275 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average engineering equipment operator earned $36,565 annually, but today, they earn $43,840 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for engineering equipment operators over the last decade.
Compare engineering equipment operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average engineering equipment operator salary over time
Compare engineering equipment operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Engineering equipment operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,800 | $21.08 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $43,100 | $20.74 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $42,100 | $20.25 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $41,400 | $19.92 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $40,400 | $19.43 | +2.8% |
Recently added engineering equipment operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Engineering Equipment Operator | Saint Louis, MO | 06/26/2025 | $63,800 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Engineering Equipment Operator | Sturgis, SD | 06/26/2025 | $58,582 |
| Department of The Interior | Seasonal Engineering Equipment Operator | San Francisco, CA | 06/26/2025 | $73,295 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Engineering Equipment Operator | Natchez, MS | 06/24/2025 | $57,559 |
| City of Wichita Falls, Tx | Sanitation Equipment Operator I-SEO I-Sanitation | Wichita Falls, TX | 06/13/2025 | $39,319 |
| National Older Worker Career Center | Engineering Equipment Operator | Hawaii | 06/07/2025 | $79,765 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Engineering Equipment Operator | Boston, MA | 05/30/2025 | $67,285 |
| City of Wichita Falls, Tx | Sanitation Equipment Operator II-SEO II-Recruitment Limited To CWF Sanitation Employees | Wichita Falls, TX | 05/13/2025 | $41,260 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Engineering Equipment Operator | Perryville, MD | 04/23/2025 | $66,179 |
| Department of The Interior | Engineering Equipment Operator (Fire) | Big Pine Key, FL | 04/22/2025 | $63,007 |
Engineering equipment operator salary FAQs
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