Heavy equipment operators run bulldozers, cranes, excavators, graders, and other machinery that builds America’s roads, buildings, and infrastructure. It’s one of the most recession-resistant skilled trades — and one of the best-paying blue-collar careers.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $42,190 | $20.28 |
| 25th | $48,680 | $23.40 |
| 50th (median) | $59,850 | $28.77 |
| 75th | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| 90th | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| Average (mean) | $66,290 | $31.87 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Heavy Equipment Operator Salary by Equipment Type
| Equipment / Role | Median Annual Salary | Pay Range |
|---|---|---|
| Crane Operator | $66,000 | $48,000–$120,000+ |
| Tower Crane Operator | $78,000 | $58,000–$130,000+ |
| Excavator Operator | $57,000 | $42,000–$85,000 |
| Bulldozer / Dozer Operator | $55,000 | $40,000–$80,000 |
| Grader Operator | $58,000 | $43,000–$82,000 |
| Scraper Operator | $56,000 | $42,000–$78,000 |
| Pile Driver Operator | $74,000 | $55,000–$110,000 |
| Dredge Operator | $68,000 | $50,000–$100,000 |
| Mining Equipment Operator | $65,000 | $50,000–$95,000 |
Heavy Equipment Operator Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $102,020 | $62,390 | $115,860 |
| 2 | California | $94,000 | $52,760 | $87,160 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $93,270 | $50,760 | $89,660 |
| 4 | New York | $90,690 | $50,190 | $80,980 |
| 5 | Illinois | $90,500 | $49,770 | $97,740 |
| 6 | Washington | $88,290 | $57,200 | $81,700 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $84,730 | $52,630 | $76,820 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $83,380 | $60,000 | $78,750 |
| 9 | Alaska | $82,680 | $62,390 | $77,810 |
| 10 | Oregon | $79,270 | $53,410 | $73,430 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $79,070 | $55,960 | $79,130 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $77,770 | $51,370 | $75,280 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $76,470 | $50,540 | $74,610 |
| 14 | Nevada | $76,050 | $51,050 | $71,410 |
| 15 | Indiana | $75,300 | $47,630 | $79,580 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $72,470 | $52,460 | $63,610 |
| 17 | Ohio | $71,830 | $46,850 | $64,940 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $68,640 | $49,840 | $62,150 |
| 19 | Missouri | $67,960 | $43,290 | $60,540 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $67,270 | $49,770 | $62,200 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $67,010 | $48,370 | $62,960 |
| 22 | Michigan | $66,920 | $46,370 | $62,690 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $65,920 | $46,780 | $60,530 |
| 24 | Colorado | $64,550 | $49,480 | $62,620 |
| 25 | Idaho | $63,920 | $47,230 | $61,680 |
| 26 | Iowa | $63,770 | $46,690 | $60,330 |
| 27 | Montana | $63,350 | $48,130 | $61,580 |
| 28 | Maryland | $61,650 | $46,760 | $61,410 |
| 29 | Arizona | $61,520 | $47,680 | $60,620 |
| 30 | Utah | $60,840 | $47,420 | $60,740 |
| 31 | Delaware | $60,690 | $39,090 | $58,020 |
| 32 | Vermont | $60,310 | $50,270 | $58,870 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $59,330 | $47,260 | $59,500 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $59,320 | $44,620 | $57,780 |
| 35 | Virginia | $58,400 | $40,870 | $57,160 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $58,240 | $44,620 | $58,360 |
| 37 | Maine | $58,230 | $46,200 | $56,140 |
| 38 | Kansas | $57,540 | $39,520 | $51,620 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $55,380 | $37,440 | $51,700 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $55,050 | $41,600 | $52,000 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $54,810 | $44,800 | $52,000 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $54,480 | $36,500 | $51,300 |
| 43 | Texas | $53,740 | $38,900 | $50,460 |
| 44 | Florida | $52,590 | $38,820 | $49,400 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $52,310 | $39,050 | $49,310 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $51,640 | $38,720 | $48,940 |
| 47 | Alabama | $50,680 | $36,230 | $47,520 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $50,110 | $37,440 | $47,970 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $50,010 | $36,180 | $47,410 |
| 50 | Georgia | $49,660 | $37,810 | $47,880 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $45,890 | $35,520 | $44,520 |
| — | National | $66,290 | $42,190 | $59,850 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Heavy Equipment Operator Salary by Union Status
| Status | Notes |
|---|---|
| IUOE Union Member (Major Metro) | Prevailing wage + benefits |
| IUOE Union Member (Mid-Size Market) | |
| Non-Union (Private Sector) | Lower wages; fewer benefits |
| Open Shop / Right-to-Work State |
Union members also receive pension contributions, health insurance, and apprenticeship training at no cost — which adds significant total compensation value.
How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator
- Complete an apprenticeship: The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) sponsors 3–4 year apprenticeship programs combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction
- Attend a vocational program: Heavy equipment operation programs at community colleges and trade schools run 6–24 months; cost $5,000–$20,000
- Get NCCCO certification (for crane work): Required by OSHA 1926.1427 for most crane operations on construction sites
- Build hours on specific equipment: Employers typically want 1,000–2,000+ hours of documented operating time per machine type
Related Profession Guides
- How Much Do Crane Operators Make?
- How Much Do Ironworkers Make?
- Construction Manager Salary
- How Much Do Electricians Make?
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy