Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Excavation Machine Operator in the United States is $37,401 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, an Excavation Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
Excavation Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $46,301 | $3,858 | $890 | $22 |
| Average | $37,401 | $3,117 | $719 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,101 | $2,508 | $579 | $14 |
Komline Sanderson - Columbus, OH
Luxor Staffing - Columbus, OH
Acloche-Gahanna - Columbus, OH
LSI Industries Inc. - Columbus, OH
An Excavation Machine Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Excavation Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Excavation Machine Operator salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $37,401. While startup companies pay approximate $37,401.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $37,401 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $37,401 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $37,401 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $37,401 |
Understanding how an Excavation Machine Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $46,301 | $3,858 | $890 | $22 |
| Average | $37,401 | $3,117 | $719 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,101 | $2,508 | $579 | $14 |
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningReady to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Excavation Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
McNichols
Columbus, OH
McNichols | Columbus, OH
Machine Operator/Fabricator. With distribution centers nationwide, McNICHOLS is the leading and trusted supplier of metal products including perforated, gr... more
8 Days Ago
Onin Staffing
Columbus, OH
Onin Staffing | Columbus, OH
Machine Operator. Columbus, OH. Overview. Location: Columbus, Ohio. Job Type: Temp-to-Hire | Full-Time. About the Opportunity: Onin Staffing currently recr... more
8 Days Ago
Trillium Staffing
Columbus, OH
Trillium Staffing | Columbus, OH
Machine Operator. Great opportunity for an experienced Machinist in the precision metal industry to join an established and growing manufacturer in Columbu... more
9 Days Ago
Altium Packaging
Columbus, OH
Altium Packaging | Columbus, OH
Machine Operator. Location: 1917 Joyce Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219. Work Shift: 12hr - D Shift 7p-7:30a Columbus (United States of America). The Machine O... more
9 Days Ago
Camaco
Columbus, OH
Camaco | Columbus, OH
Transfer Press Operator. Set-Up and Operate Transfer Press and set dies in various machines as needed to produce quality parts and achieve production requi... more
6 Days Ago
Aerotek
Columbus, OH
Aerotek | Columbus, OH
Machine Operator. Join a dynamic manufacturing team specializing in wire mesh for various product lines, including fencing and decking. We are seeking dedi... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The top pay for an Excavation Machine Operator is approximately $44,801 annually. The salary range typically starts at a minimum of $29,101, with a mid-level salary around $36,201. This reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the field.
Excavation Machine Operators in the USA earn between $29,101 and $44,801 annually, with a median salary of approximately $36,201. These figures reflect the typical salary range for this profession, providing a clear overview of potential earnings in the field.
Yes, excavators are in high demand, particularly in the construction, infrastructure, and mining sectors. This strong demand is reflected in the salary range for excavation machine operators, with salaries ranging from $29,101 to $44,801, indicating a competitive market for skilled professionals in this field.
Excavation machine operators typically earn between $29,101 and $44,801 annually, translating to an hourly wage of approximately $14 to $22. For those with their own equipment, rates can range from $100 to $300 per hour, while hiring an operator without equipment generally costs between $50 and $150 per hour. Most operators require a minimum charge for a full day or eight hours.
The highest salary that an Excavation Machine Operator can earn is ?4.48 Lakhs per year (?37.3k per month).
Crane operators typically do not make $100,000. Based on salary data for excavation machine operators, the salary ranges from $29,101 to $44,801, with a mid-salary of $36,201. While some specialized crane operator positions may offer higher pay, most fall below the $100,000 mark.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
