How Much Do Heavy Equipment Operator Workers Make?
Heavy Equipment Operator workers earn a national median of $68,475/year, with the top 10% earning $117,350+. Wages have grown 4.0% over the past 5 years.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| National Median | $68,475/yr |
| National Mean | $72,939/yr |
| Lowest Market Median | $48,240/yr |
| Highest Market Median | $117,350/yr |
| 5-Year Wage Growth | +4.0% |
| Trade Pay Grade | C (58/100) |
| Total Employment | 160,130 |
Heavy Equipment Operator workers earn a national median of $68,475/year, with the top 10% earning $117,350+. Wages have grown 4.0% over the past 5 years.
This answer pulls from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the authoritative federal source for U.S. skilled-trade wage data. The headline number above is the direct answer; what follows is the additional context most readers need to use the answer for a real decision rather than just a fact lookup.
For readers turning this answer into action: cross-reference against the underlying the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey record before acting on time-sensitive decisions. The site renders the data as it was published; subsequent revisions can shift the picture, and the live federal data is always the authoritative current reference.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES, 2026.