National median · BLS OEWS May 2025
Heavy Equipment Operator pay, ranked across all 50 states
Nationally, heavy equipment operators earn a median $59,850 a year ($28.77/hr), with the top 10% above $101,090. 478,090 people do this work in the US. Pick your state below for the full pay range, the apprenticeship path, and the 10-year math against a college degree.
Reviewed by Brad Zemke, third-generation tradesman, 20+ years in the field.
| # | State | Median | Top 10% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $115,860 | $129,590 | Details → |
| 2 | Illinois | $97,740 | $123,330 | Details → |
| 3 | New Jersey | $89,660 | $133,330 | Details → |
| 4 | California | $87,160 | $132,210 | Details → |
| 5 | Washington | $81,700 | $125,490 | Details → |
| 6 | New York | $80,980 | $144,920 | Details → |
| 7 | Indiana | $79,580 | $98,850 | Details → |
| 8 | Minnesota | $79,130 | $101,930 | Details → |
| 9 | Connecticut | $78,750 | $106,920 | Details → |
| 10 | Alaska | $77,810 | $103,900 | Details → |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $76,820 | $125,400 | Details → |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $75,280 | $100,140 | Details → |
| 13 | Oregon | $73,430 | $117,310 | Details → |
| 14 | Nevada | $71,410 | $111,210 | Details → |
| 15 | Ohio | $64,940 | $98,100 | Details → |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $63,610 | $98,870 | Details → |
| 17 | Wyoming | $62,960 | $85,630 | Details → |
| 18 | Michigan | $62,690 | $90,580 | Details → |
| 19 | Colorado | $62,620 | $78,870 | Details → |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $62,200 | $87,730 | Details → |
| 21 | North Dakota | $62,150 | $100,570 | Details → |
| 22 | Idaho | $61,680 | $79,650 | Details → |
| 23 | Montana | $61,580 | $79,880 | Details → |
| 24 | Maryland | $61,410 | $78,870 | Details → |
| 25 | Utah | $60,740 | $75,880 | Details → |
| 26 | Arizona | $60,620 | $79,460 | Details → |
| 27 | Missouri | $60,540 | $94,130 | Details → |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $60,530 | $94,930 | Details → |
| 29 | Iowa | $60,330 | $87,460 | Details → |
| 30 | South Dakota | $59,500 | $75,880 | Details → |
| 31 | Vermont | $58,870 | $73,860 | Details → |
| 32 | Nebraska | $58,360 | $75,700 | Details → |
| 33 | Delaware | $58,020 | $97,520 | Details → |
| 34 | Kentucky | $57,780 | $80,890 | Details → |
| 35 | Virginia | $57,160 | $78,250 | Details → |
| 36 | Maine | $56,140 | $75,390 | Details → |
| 37 | New Mexico | $52,000 | $69,690 | Details → |
| 38 | Tennessee | $52,000 | $75,430 | Details → |
| 39 | Louisiana | $51,700 | $75,180 | Details → |
| 40 | Kansas | $51,620 | $85,420 | Details → |
| 41 | West Virginia | $51,300 | $76,970 | Details → |
| 42 | Texas | $50,460 | $70,010 | Details → |
| 43 | Florida | $49,400 | $64,020 | Details → |
| 44 | North Carolina | $49,310 | $64,450 | Details → |
| 45 | South Carolina | $48,940 | $64,330 | Details → |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $47,970 | $64,380 | Details → |
| 47 | Georgia | $47,880 | $62,840 | Details → |
| 48 | Alabama | $47,520 | $67,690 | Details → |
| 49 | Mississippi | $47,410 | $67,030 | Details → |
| 50 | Arkansas | $44,520 | $58,670 | Details → |
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