Heavy equipment operators are responsible for operating and maintaining a variety of heavy machinery used in the construction and transportation industries. They work with a variety of large and complex pieces of equipment, such as bulldozers, backhoes, graders, and loaders. Heavy equipment operators need a good amount of physical strength and stamina to perform their jobs, and they must be able to follow safety procedures and regulations. The salary for heavy equipment operators varies depending on the type of equipment they operate and the company they work for.
Average Salary for Heavy Equipment Operators
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for heavy equipment operators as of May 2019 was $45,870. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,400, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,270. The median hourly wages for heavy equipment operators are $22.07. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14.61, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $35.70. The median salary for heavy equipment operators varies by geographic location, type of equipment operated, and the company they work for.
Salary by Location
The median salary for heavy equipment operators varies by geographic location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the states with the highest employment level of heavy equipment operators are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. In California, the median wage is $50,370, in Texas, the median wage is $45,570, in Florida, the median wage is $40,780, in New York, the median wage is $48,280, and in Pennsylvania, the median wage is $44,100. In addition to geographic location, the median salary for heavy equipment operators may also vary by type of equipment operated, and the company they work for.
Salary by Type of Equipment Operated
The median salary for heavy equipment operators also varies by the type of equipment operated. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for bulldozer operators is $44,100, for crane and tower operators, it is $62,500, for excavating and loading machine operators, it is $42,820, for graders and scarifiers operators, it is $43,400, and for paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators, it is $45,280. The median wage for heavy equipment operators may vary by the type of equipment they operate, and the company they work for.
Salary by Company
The median salary for heavy equipment operators also varies by the company they work for. For example, according to PayScale, the median wage for a heavy equipment operator at a construction company is $19.11 per hour, while the median wage for a heavy equipment operator at a mining company is $22.80 per hour. The median wage for heavy equipment operators may also vary by the type of equipment they operate, and the geographic location they work in.
Job Outlook for Heavy Equipment Operators
The job outlook for heavy equipment operators is expected to be good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of heavy equipment operators is expected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for heavy equipment operators is expected to be strong due to the growing need for infrastructure development, as well as the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation. Additionally, the rising cost of construction materials is expected to increase demand for heavy equipment operators.
Conclusion
Heavy equipment operators are in high demand due to the growing need for infrastructure development and the need to replace retiring workers. The salary for heavy equipment operators varies by geographic location, type of equipment operated, and the company they work for. The job outlook for heavy equipment operators is expected to be good with an 8 percent growth from 2018 to 2028.
