How Much Money Does a Heavy Equipment Operator Make?

How much money does a heavy equipment operator make? 

Heavy equipment operators earn an average annual base salary of $62,909, according to the 2022 Construction Craft Salary Survey. That equates to $30.25/hour.  

These numbers do not include overtime, per diem or other incentives that can increase earnings and benefits.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest 10% of heavy equipment operators earned more than $86,300 annually.  

Heavy equipment operators control the excavators, bulldozers, dump trucks and other large machinery that move materials at a construction site. To learn more about heavy equipment operation, check out our heavy equipment operator career page.