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Special equipment operator salary
Average special equipment operator salary
$44,694
Understanding Special Equipment Operator Salaries
As of October 2025, Special Equipment Operators earn an average salary of $44,694 annually. This figure is influenced by various factors, including location, experience, and the specific industry. In states like California and Texas, operators often see higher salaries due to demand for skilled labor.
Salary Insights by State
Salaries can differ significantly across the United States. For instance, states like Washington and New York offer some of the highest wages for this profession, often exceeding $50,000 per year. Understanding these regional differences can help you target your job search effectively.
Career Opportunities
Job opportunities for Special Equipment Operators are available across diverse sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and logistics. Operators skilled in handling advanced machinery can command a premium salary. By continuously upgrading skills and gaining certifications, you can improve your earning potential and job security.
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Where can a Special Equipment Operator earn more?
Average special equipment operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for special equipment operators are Alaska, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The lowest average special equipment operator salary states are Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special equipment operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $51,132 | $24.58 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $49,582 | $23.84 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $50,858 | $24.45 |
| 4 | Alaska | $52,350 | $25.17 |
| 5 | Vermont | $50,016 | $24.05 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $50,578 | $24.32 |
| 7 | Montana | $47,395 | $22.79 |
| 8 | Maine | $49,213 | $23.66 |
| 9 | Arizona | $49,099 | $23.61 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $50,968 | $24.50 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $47,468 | $22.82 |
| 12 | Idaho | $46,879 | $22.54 |
| 13 | Ohio | $45,908 | $22.07 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $47,101 | $22.64 |
| 15 | Utah | $45,709 | $21.98 |
| 16 | Oregon | $47,688 | $22.93 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $44,939 | $21.61 |
| 18 | Washington | $48,802 | $23.46 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| 20 | Nevada | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| 21 | Michigan | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| 22 | Delaware | $48,648 | $23.39 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $45,803 | $22.02 |
| 24 | Indiana | $45,404 | $21.83 |
| 25 | New York | $49,794 | $23.94 |
| 26 | District of Columbia | $46,697 | $22.45 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $42,407 | $20.39 |
| 28 | Virginia | $48,355 | $23.25 |
| 29 | Missouri | $43,486 | $20.91 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $44,146 | $21.22 |
| 31 | Maryland | $47,272 | $22.73 |
| 32 | California | $47,447 | $22.81 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $44,781 | $21.53 |
| 34 | Illinois | $44,688 | $21.48 |
| 35 | Iowa | $41,811 | $20.10 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $40,133 | $19.29 |
| 37 | Colorado | $43,468 | $20.90 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 39 | Minnesota | $43,572 | $20.95 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $37,727 | $18.14 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $39,914 | $19.19 |
| 42 | Kansas | $41,985 | $20.19 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $38,706 | $18.61 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $38,892 | $18.70 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $40,286 | $19.37 |
| 46 | Pennsylvania | $36,835 | $17.71 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $32,049 | $15.41 |
| 48 | Alabama | $36,245 | $17.43 |
| 49 | Texas | $36,408 | $17.50 |
| 50 | Georgia | $36,843 | $17.71 |
| 51 | Florida | $36,056 | $17.33 |
Highest paying cities for special equipment operators
The highest-paying cities for special equipment operators are Goodyear, AZ, Saint Cloud, MN, and Castle Rock, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goodyear, AZ | $49,140 | $23.63 |
| 2 | Saint Cloud, MN | $43,647 | $20.98 |
| 3 | Castle Rock, CO | $43,384 | $20.86 |
| 4 | Muskogee, OK | $39,801 | $19.14 |
| 5 | East Point, GA | $37,065 | $17.82 |
Special equipment operator salary details
A special equipment operator's salary ranges from $34,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $58,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special equipment operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| Average | $44,694 | $3,725 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
Highest paying special equipment operator jobs
The highest paying types of special equipment operators are track mechanic, track service person, and track maintainer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Equipment Operator/Labour | $33,959 | $2,830 | $16.33 | 60,770 |
| Equipment Operator | $31,739 | $2,645 | $15.26 | 62,473 |
Top companies hiring special equipment operators now:
Which companies pay special equipment operators the most?
Special equipment operator salaries at Arkansas Electric Cooperative and Douglas County are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special equipment operator salary at companies like Arcosa and Graphic Packaging International are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas Electric Cooperative | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| 2 | Douglas County | $44,007 | $21.16 |
| 3 | Arcosa | $42,308 | $20.34 |
| 4 | Graphic Packaging International | $41,036 | $19.73 |
| 5 | Pasco | $39,943 | $19.20 |
| 6 | DICK'S Sporting Goods | $29,488 | $14.18 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special equipment operator salary trends
The average special equipment operator salary has risen by $9,015 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special equipment operator earned $35,679 annually, but today, they earn $44,694 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for special equipment operators over the last decade.
Compare special equipment operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special equipment operator salary over time
Compare special equipment operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special equipment operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,700 | $21.49 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | $44,500 | $21.38 | -1.5% |
| 2023 | $45,100 | $21.70 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $44,400 | $21.37 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $42,800 | $20.57 | +2.1% |
Recently added special equipment operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC | Special Equipment Operator I-II | Jacksonville, AR | 06/26/2025 | $40,509 |
| Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. | Specialized Equipment Operator | East Point, GA | 06/25/2025 | $40,697 |
| Johnson Controls, Inc. | Special Operations 2 | Aurora, CO | 06/18/2025 | $45,900 |
| Abbott | Special Equipment Operator-2Nd Shift | Casa Grande, AZ | 06/14/2025 | $35,479 |
| City of Florence, Sc | Special Construction Equipment Operator-Distribution Operations | Florence, SC | 05/24/2025 | $43,368 |
| Ceres Global | E1 Specialized Tree Equipment Operator | Cameron Park, CA | 05/24/2025 | $80,329 |
| Abbott Laboratories | Special Equipment Operator-Casa Grande, AZ-Night Shift | Casa Grande, AZ | 04/22/2025 | $35,479 |
| Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. | Specialized Equipment Operator | East Point, GA | 02/24/2025 | $40,697 |
| Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp | Special Equipment Operator I-II | Clarksville, AR | 02/19/2025 | $40,509 |
| Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group | Equipment Operator-Special Projects | Kane, PA | 02/17/2025 | $35,229 |
Special equipment operator salary FAQs
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