Heavy Equipment Operator Salary Calculator
Median heavy equipment operator pay is $59,850 a year. See pay by state and calculate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax and FICA.
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About the Heavy Equipment Operator Salary Calculator
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), the median heavy equipment operator salary is $59,850 a year (about $28.77 an hour). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,190 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,090. The mean annual wage is $66,290 and about 478,090 people work in this occupation.
How to use it
- Leave the annual salary at the national median or type your own pay.
- Choose your state and filing status and add any 401(k) contribution.
- Press Calculate take-home pay to see your heavy equipment operator pay per year, month, paycheck and hour.
Heavy Equipment Operator salary by state (2026)
Hawaii pays heavy equipment operators the most, with an average of $102,020 a year, and Arkansas pays the least at $45,890. State averages come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025). The monthly take-home column is an estimate for a single filer using the 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security, Medicare and each state's 2026 income tax brackets.
Highest-paying states: Hawaii ($102,020), California ($94,000), New Jersey ($93,270), New York ($90,690), Illinois ($90,500).
Lowest-paying states: Arkansas ($45,890), Georgia ($49,660), Mississippi ($50,010), Oklahoma ($50,110), Alabama ($50,680).
| State | Average annual salary | Est. take-home / month |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $102,020 | $6,198 |
| California | $94,000 | $5,871 |
| New Jersey | $93,270 | $5,891 |
| New York | $90,690 | $5,693 |
| Illinois | $90,500 | $5,680 |
| Washington | $88,290 | $5,912 |
| Massachusetts | $84,730 | $5,368 |
| Connecticut | $83,380 | $5,373 |
| Alaska | $82,680 | $5,583 |
| Oregon | $79,270 | $4,874 |
| Minnesota | $79,070 | $5,050 |
| Wisconsin | $77,770 | $5,067 |
| District of Columbia | $76,470 | $5,219 |
| Nevada | $76,050 | $5,194 |
| Indiana | $75,300 | $4,968 |
| Rhode Island | $72,470 | $4,809 |
| Ohio | $71,830 | $4,847 |
| North Dakota | $68,640 | $4,753 |
| Missouri | $67,960 | $4,532 |
| New Hampshire | $67,270 | $4,680 |
| Wyoming | $67,010 | $4,664 |
| Michigan | $66,920 | $4,443 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,920 | $4,427 |
| Colorado | $64,550 | $4,326 |
| Idaho | $63,920 | $4,272 |
| Iowa | $63,770 | $4,304 |
| Montana | $63,350 | $4,238 |
| Maryland | $61,650 | $4,096 |
| Arizona | $61,520 | $4,190 |
| Utah | $60,840 | $4,108 |
| Delaware | $60,690 | $4,021 |
| Vermont | $60,310 | $4,088 |
| South-Dakota | $59,330 | $4,154 |
| Kentucky | $59,320 | $3,990 |
| Virginia | $58,400 | $3,880 |
| Nebraska | $58,240 | $3,934 |
| Maine | $58,230 | $3,852 |
| Kansas | $57,540 | $3,834 |
| Louisiana | $55,380 | $3,784 |
| Tennessee | $55,050 | $3,868 |
| New Mexico | $54,810 | $3,734 |
| West Virginia | $54,480 | $3,686 |
| Texas | $53,740 | $3,780 |
| Florida | $52,590 | $3,703 |
| North Carolina | $52,310 | $3,553 |
| South Carolina | $51,640 | $3,478 |
| Alabama | $50,680 | $3,386 |
| Oklahoma | $50,110 | $3,394 |
| Mississippi | $50,010 | $3,425 |
| Georgia | $49,660 | $3,344 |
| Arkansas | $45,890 | $3,123 |
Click a state to see a full paycheck breakdown. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Heavy Equipment Operator pay and take-home by percentile (no state income tax)
| Level | Gross a year | Per hour | Take-home / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% (cut-off) | $42,190 | $20.28 | $3,007 |
| Median | $59,850 | $28.77 | $4,189 |
| Highest 10% (cut-off) | $101,090 | $48.60 | $6,662 |
Single filer, 2026 federal standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare. Pay varies by employer, experience, shift differentials and overtime. The median is a national figure, not an offer or a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How much do heavy equipment operators make a year?
The median pay for heavy equipment operators was $59,850 a year ($28.77 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,190 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $101,090.
How much does a heavy equipment operator take home after taxes?
On the national median of $59,850, a single filer in a state with no income tax keeps about $50,269 a year ($4,189 a month) after federal income tax and FICA. Use the calculator above for your state.
Which state pays heavy equipment operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest average pay for heavy equipment operators, about $102,020 a year, followed by California ($94,000) and New Jersey ($93,270), according to BLS May 2025 data.
What is the hourly pay for heavy equipment operators?
The median is about $28.77 an hour, based on 2,080 working hours a year. The mean wage across the country is $66,290 a year.
What is the lowest-paying state for heavy equipment operators?
Arkansas has the lowest average pay at about $45,890 a year. Pay depends on cost of living, employer, experience and demand.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Estimates only, not tax or financial advice.