What heavy equipment builders earn depends on the experience they have, the part of the country they work in, the size of the company they work for, and the type of equipment they specialize in. In addition to earning an hourly wage, many construction equipment operators report that they receive benefits such as annual rest breaks and bonuses.
Time frame
The payment of operators of heavy construction equipment increases over time as they acquire more work experience. According to Pay scale, operators of heavy construction equipment with less than a year of experience earn an average salary of $ 14 per hour. Those with one to four years of experience typically earn from $ 15 to $ 16 per hour. Workers with 10 to 19 years of experience earn approximately US $ 18 per hour and those who have worked as heavy construction equipment operators for 20 years or more earn an average wage of US $ 20 per hour.
Geography
The salary received by operators of heavy construction equipment depends on the part of the United States in which they work. In some areas, wages may increase or decrease, depending on local demand. Generally, heavy construction equipment operators in California earn the highest salaries, with an average pay of more than $ 22 per hour. Those working in New York and Pennsylvania earn about $ 17 and $ 18, while those working in Michigan earn about $ 16 per hour. In Texas, Florida and Virginia, these operators earn an average salary of approximately $ 14 per hour.
Size
The size of the company in which heavy construction equipment operator’s work can also affect their average salary. Equipment operators working for a company with less than 10 employees typically earn between $ 14 and $ 15 per hour. Those who work for a company with 10 to 15 employees earn about $ 16 per hour. Operators working for a company with 50 to 600 workers generally earn between $ 17 and $ 18 per hour.
Types
The average pay rates of heavy construction equipment operators may depend on the type of work they do. Equipment operators that specialize in asphalt typically earn about $ 14 per hour, while those working with concrete equipment often earn more than $ 17 per hour. Heavy construction equipment operators working in excavations earn approximately US $ 16.50 per hour, while those working in underground constructions earn approximately US $ 17.50 per hour. Those working on commercial, residential or general construction projects typically earn between $ 16 and $ 17 per hour.
Benefits
In addition to hourly wages, operators of heavy construction equipment can also receive benefits from their employers. According to pay scale, heavy construction equipment operators report that they receive annual bonuses of between US $ 500 and US $ 1,000, with the high bonuses generally aimed at workers with at least 10 years of experience. Almost 72% of heavy construction equipment operators report paid vacations and 33% receive sick pay. Almost 40% report having a benefit and the same percentage has life and disability insurance. Approximately 18% have a company cell phone and 12% have a company car.