Construction Equipment Operator Salary (2025) — National Average Pay
Here is what construction equipment operators earn across the United States, broken down by experience level, union status, and state. All figures reflect base pay before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
Construction Equipment Operator Pay by Experience Level
Your pay as a construction equipment operator depends heavily on where you are in your career. Apprentices start at the lower end, but wages climb quickly as you gain experience and credentials.
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | $15.90/hr | $33,100/yr |
| Journeyman | $26.50/hr | $55,100/yr |
| Master | $34.45/hr | $71,700/yr |
| Foreman | $37.10/hr | $77,200/yr |
Apprentice
Hourly
$15.90
Annual
$33,100
Journeyman
Hourly
$26.50
Annual
$55,100
Master
Hourly
$34.45
Annual
$71,700
Foreman
Hourly
$37.10
Annual
$77,200
Union vs. Non-Union Pay
Union construction equipment operators consistently out-earn their non-union peers. The gap widens further when you factor in pension contributions, healthcare, and other benefits that most union contracts include.
Union vs. Non-Union Pay
Average hourly rate for construction equipment operators
Union construction equipment operators earn $7.42/hr more (28.9% premium)
Construction Equipment Operator Salary by Specialty
Not all construction equipment operator roles pay the same. Here’s how estimated pay varies by specialization, based on the national median.
| Specialty | Est. Hourly | Est. Annual | vs. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
Crane Operator NCCCO Crane Operator Certification | $33.13/hr | $68,900 | +25% |
Paving Equipment Operator NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator | $27.03/hr | $56,200 | +2% |
Excavator Operator NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator | $26.50/hr | $55,100 | +0% |
Bulldozer Operator NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator | $25.97/hr | $54,000 | -2% |
Crane Operator
+25%$33.13/hr
$68,900/yr
Paving Equipment Operator
+2%$27.03/hr
$56,200/yr
Excavator Operator
+0%$26.50/hr
$55,100/yr
Bulldozer Operator
-2%$25.97/hr
$54,000/yr
Construction Equipment Operator Salary by State
Construction Equipment Operator pay varies significantly by state. Cost of living, union presence, and local demand all play a role. Click any state to see the full breakdown.
| # | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | Jobs | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $36.42/hr | $75,800 | 1,883 | +4.0% |
| 2 | New York | $35.63/hr | $74,100 | 25,894 | +4.0% |
| 3 | Alaska | $35.13/hr | $73,100 | 1,412 | +4.5% |
| 4 | California | $34.33/hr | $71,400 | 47,080 | +5.0% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $33.83/hr | $70,400 | 10,358 | +4.5% |
| 6 | Illinois | $33.27/hr | $69,200 | 19,774 | +3.5% |
| 7 | New Jersey | $31.98/hr | $66,500 | 13,182 | +4.0% |
| 8 | Washington | $31.80/hr | $66,100 | 11,770 | +5.5% |
| 9 | Connecticut | $30.48/hr | $63,400 | 5,179 | +4.0% |
| 10 | Maryland | $29.15/hr | $60,600 | 8,004 | +4.5% |
| 11 | Colorado | $28.62/hr | $59,500 | 8,945 | +5.5% |
| 12 | Oregon | $28.62/hr | $59,500 | 6,120 | +5.0% |
| 13 | Minnesota | $27.83/hr | $57,900 | 8,474 | +4.5% |
| 14 | Nevada | $27.83/hr | $57,900 | 4,708 | +6.5% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $27.83/hr | $57,900 | 18,832 | +4.0% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $27.83/hr | $57,900 | 1,412 | +4.0% |
| 17 | Delaware | $27.03/hr | $56,200 | 1,412 | +4.5% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $27.03/hr | $56,200 | 1,883 | +4.5% |
| 19 | Virginia | $27.03/hr | $56,200 | 11,770 | +4.5% |
| 20 | Arizona | $25.97/hr | $54,000 | 10,828 | +6.0% |
| 21 | Michigan | $25.97/hr | $54,000 | 14,124 | +3.5% |
| 22 | Texas | $25.97/hr | $54,000 | 40,018 | +6.0% |
| 23 | Vermont | $25.97/hr | $54,000 | 942 | +4.0% |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $25.44/hr | $52,900 | 8,474 | +4.0% |
| 25 | Florida | $25.17/hr | $52,400 | 30,602 | +7.0% |
| 26 | Maine | $25.17/hr | $52,400 | 1,883 | +4.0% |
| 27 | North Dakota | $25.17/hr | $52,400 | 1,412 | +5.0% |
| 28 | Ohio | $25.17/hr | $52,400 | 17,890 | +3.5% |
| 29 | Utah | $25.17/hr | $52,400 | 4,708 | +6.5% |
| 30 | Indiana | $24.65/hr | $51,300 | 10,358 | +4.5% |
| 31 | Missouri | $24.65/hr | $51,300 | 9,416 | +4.0% |
| 32 | Georgia | $24.38/hr | $50,700 | 15,066 | +5.5% |
| 33 | Louisiana | $24.38/hr | $50,700 | 7,533 | +4.0% |
| 34 | North Carolina | $24.38/hr | $50,700 | 14,124 | +5.5% |
| 35 | Wyoming | $24.38/hr | $50,700 | 942 | +4.5% |
| 36 | Idaho | $23.85/hr | $49,600 | 2,825 | +6.0% |
| 37 | Iowa | $23.85/hr | $49,600 | 4,708 | +4.0% |
| 38 | Montana | $23.85/hr | $49,600 | 1,412 | +5.0% |
| 39 | Nebraska | $23.85/hr | $49,600 | 2,825 | +4.0% |
| 40 | Tennessee | $23.85/hr | $49,600 | 10,358 | +5.0% |
| 41 | Kansas | $23.59/hr | $49,100 | 4,237 | +3.5% |
| 42 | New Mexico | $23.32/hr | $48,500 | 2,354 | +4.0% |
| 43 | Kentucky | $23.06/hr | $48,000 | 6,591 | +3.5% |
| 44 | South Carolina | $22.79/hr | $47,400 | 7,062 | +5.5% |
| 45 | Alabama | $22.53/hr | $46,900 | 7,062 | +3.0% |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $22.53/hr | $46,900 | 5,650 | +4.0% |
| 47 | South Dakota | $22.53/hr | $46,900 | 1,412 | +4.5% |
| 48 | West Virginia | $21.73/hr | $45,200 | 2,354 | +2.0% |
| 49 | Arkansas | $21.23/hr | $44,200 | 4,237 | +2.5% |
| 50 | Mississippi | $20.20/hr | $42,000 | 3,766 | +2.0% |
Hawaii
1,883 jobs
$36.42/hr
$75,800/yr
New York
25,894 jobs
$35.63/hr
$74,100/yr
Alaska
1,412 jobs
$35.13/hr
$73,100/yr
California
47,080 jobs
$34.33/hr
$71,400/yr
Massachusetts
10,358 jobs
$33.83/hr
$70,400/yr
Illinois
19,774 jobs
$33.27/hr
$69,200/yr
New Jersey
13,182 jobs
$31.98/hr
$66,500/yr
Washington
11,770 jobs
$31.80/hr
$66,100/yr
Connecticut
5,179 jobs
$30.48/hr
$63,400/yr
Maryland
8,004 jobs
$29.15/hr
$60,600/yr
Colorado
8,945 jobs
$28.62/hr
$59,500/yr
Oregon
6,120 jobs
$28.62/hr
$59,500/yr
Minnesota
8,474 jobs
$27.83/hr
$57,900/yr
Nevada
4,708 jobs
$27.83/hr
$57,900/yr
Pennsylvania
18,832 jobs
$27.83/hr
$57,900/yr
Rhode Island
1,412 jobs
$27.83/hr
$57,900/yr
Delaware
1,412 jobs
$27.03/hr
$56,200/yr
New Hampshire
1,883 jobs
$27.03/hr
$56,200/yr
Virginia
11,770 jobs
$27.03/hr
$56,200/yr
Arizona
10,828 jobs
$25.97/hr
$54,000/yr
Michigan
14,124 jobs
$25.97/hr
$54,000/yr
Texas
40,018 jobs
$25.97/hr
$54,000/yr
Vermont
942 jobs
$25.97/hr
$54,000/yr
Wisconsin
8,474 jobs
$25.44/hr
$52,900/yr
Florida
30,602 jobs
$25.17/hr
$52,400/yr
Maine
1,883 jobs
$25.17/hr
$52,400/yr
North Dakota
1,412 jobs
$25.17/hr
$52,400/yr
Ohio
17,890 jobs
$25.17/hr
$52,400/yr
Utah
4,708 jobs
$25.17/hr
$52,400/yr
Indiana
10,358 jobs
$24.65/hr
$51,300/yr
Missouri
9,416 jobs
$24.65/hr
$51,300/yr
Georgia
15,066 jobs
$24.38/hr
$50,700/yr
Louisiana
7,533 jobs
$24.38/hr
$50,700/yr
North Carolina
14,124 jobs
$24.38/hr
$50,700/yr
Wyoming
942 jobs
$24.38/hr
$50,700/yr
Idaho
2,825 jobs
$23.85/hr
$49,600/yr
Iowa
4,708 jobs
$23.85/hr
$49,600/yr
Montana
1,412 jobs
$23.85/hr
$49,600/yr
Nebraska
2,825 jobs
$23.85/hr
$49,600/yr
Tennessee
10,358 jobs
$23.85/hr
$49,600/yr
Kansas
4,237 jobs
$23.59/hr
$49,100/yr
New Mexico
2,354 jobs
$23.32/hr
$48,500/yr
Kentucky
6,591 jobs
$23.06/hr
$48,000/yr
South Carolina
7,062 jobs
$22.79/hr
$47,400/yr
Alabama
7,062 jobs
$22.53/hr
$46,900/yr
Oklahoma
5,650 jobs
$22.53/hr
$46,900/yr
South Dakota
1,412 jobs
$22.53/hr
$46,900/yr
West Virginia
2,354 jobs
$21.73/hr
$45,200/yr
Arkansas
4,237 jobs
$21.23/hr
$44,200/yr
Mississippi
3,766 jobs
$20.20/hr
$42,000/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
Construction Equipment Operator salaries in the United States vary based on experience, certifications, and whether you work union or non-union. Entry-level construction equipment operators typically earn around 60-70% of the median wage, while experienced professionals and those with master-level credentials can earn 25-50% above the median.
Entry-level construction equipment operators in the United States typically start at the lower end of the pay range, which reflects apprentice or helper-level positions. As you gain experience and complete your training program, your pay increases significantly within the first 2-3 years.
Yes. Union construction equipment operators earn 15-30% more per hour on average than their non-union counterparts. When you factor in benefits like pensions, healthcare, and annuity contributions, the total compensation gap is even wider. However, union availability varies significantly by region.
The path to becoming a fully qualified construction equipment operator depends on the route you take. Apprenticeship programs typically last 3-5 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Trade school programs can be completed in 6-24 months, though you will still need field experience to reach journeyman level.
Construction Equipment Operator work offers solid pay, strong job security, and doesn't require a four-year degree. The national job outlook shows steady demand, and the ongoing skilled labor shortage means qualified construction equipment operators have strong bargaining power. The work can be physically demanding, but many professionals find the trade rewarding and well-compensated.
Certifications can significantly boost a construction equipment operator's earning potential. Industry-recognized credentials, advanced specializations, and safety certifications all help you stand out to employers and command higher hourly rates. Master-level licenses typically result in the biggest pay increases.
Sources & Methodology
Salary data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. Data reflects May 2024 estimates, the most recent available. Figures represent base pay before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.