What are the main factors that influence a Heavy Equipment Operator III's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Heavy Equipment Operator 's salary?

A Heavy Equipment Operator 's salary grows with experience: a Heavy Equipment Operator I (0-1 years)earns $45,849, a Heavy Equipment Operator II (1-3 years)earns $51,731, a Heavy Equipment Operator III (3-5 years)earns $59,170, a Heavy Equipment Operator IV (5-7 years)earns $78,410,

What are the highest paying states for a Heavy Equipment Operator III?

Heavy Equipment Operator III salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Heavy Equipment Operator III roles are District of Columbia $64,691, California $64,446, Massachusetts $63,587. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Heavy Equipment Operator roles make?

Salaries for Heavy Equipment Operator level roles vary by specialization: Field Equipment Operator III: $86,567; Heavy Equipment Operator IV: $77,427; Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee: $76,184; Heavy Construction Equipment Operator: $75,891; Heavy Equipment Service Technician III: $73,300.

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Heavy Equipment Operator III Salary in Delaware

How much does a Heavy Equipment Operator III make in Delaware?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Heavy Equipment Operator III in Delaware is $59,170 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, a Heavy Equipment Operator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,817
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,161 to $65,790
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,689

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Heavy Equipment Operator III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,790	$5,483	$1,265	$32
Average	$59,170	$4,931	$1,138	$28
25th Percentile	$53,161	$4,430	$1,022	$26

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Check out Heavy Equipment Operator III Job Openings in Delaware

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Key Factors That Influence Heavy Equipment Operator III Salaries

A Heavy Equipment Operator III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Heavy Equipment Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Heavy Equipment Operator III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Heavy Equipment Operator I (0-1 years): $45,849
Heavy Equipment Operator II (1-3 years): $51,731
Heavy Equipment Operator III (3-5 years): $59,170
Heavy Equipment Operator IV (5-7 years): $78,410

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Heavy Equipment Operator I	0-1 years	$45,849
Heavy Equipment Operator II	1-3 years	$51,731
Heavy Equipment Operator III	3-5 years	$59,170
Heavy Equipment Operator IV	5-7 years	$78,410

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Heavy Equipment Operator III Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Heavy Equipment Operator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $64,691.
California: $64,446.
Massachusetts: $63,587.

District of Columbia $64,691 California $64,446 Massachusetts $63,587 Washington $63,353 New Jersey $63,330 Alaska $63,248 Connecticut $62,442 New York $62,115

Hawaii $61,069 Rhode Island $60,578 Maryland $60,245 Minnesota $59,789 Colorado $59,614 Illinois $59,556 Oregon $59,334 Delaware $59,170

New Hampshire $59,067 Virginia $58,837 Pennsylvania $58,165 Nevada $57,826 North Dakota $57,715 Michigan $57,540 Wisconsin $57,476 Vermont $57,347

Texas $56,991 Maine $56,967 Arizona $56,932 Ohio $56,891 Georgia $56,354 Indiana $56,085 Wyoming $56,032 Utah $55,951

Iowa $55,916 Kansas $55,635 Louisiana $55,553 North Carolina $55,524 Missouri $55,512 Florida $55,285 Montana $55,162 Nebraska $55,045

Kentucky $54,981 South Carolina $54,747 Tennessee $54,601 Idaho $54,543 New Mexico $54,116 Oklahoma $54,023 Alabama $53,678 South Dakota $53,099

Arkansas $52,784 West Virginia $52,614 Mississippi $52,106

Top Paying Cities for Heavy Equipment Operator IIIs

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:

Lincoln: $58,904
Little Creek: $59,335
Magnolia: $59,249

Lincoln, DE $58,904 Little Creek, DE $59,335 Magnolia, DE $59,249 Milford, DE $59,053 Marydel, DE $59,150 Millsboro, DE $58,656 Millville, DE $58,747 Milton, DE $58,849

Nassau, DE $58,891 Ocean View, DE $58,737 Rehoboth Beach, DE $58,850 Seaford, DE $58,883 Selbyville, DE $58,640 Smyrna, DE $59,376 Viola, DE $59,102 Woodside, DE $59,261

Bear, DE $59,124 Newark, DE $59,102 Claymont, DE $59,223 Delaware City, DE $59,161 Hockessin, DE $59,097 Kirkwood, DE $59,150 Middletown, DE $59,173 Montchanin, DE $59,110

New Castle, DE $59,119 Odessa, DE $59,202 Port Penn, DE $59,242 Rockland, DE $59,116 Saint Georges, DE $59,154 Townsend, DE $59,245 Winterthur, DE $59,123 Lewes, DE $58,871

Wilmington, DE $59,100 Dover, DE $59,335 Dover Afb, DE $59,022 Bethany Beach, DE $58,675 Bethel, DE $58,736 Bridgeville, DE $58,874 Camden Wyoming, DE $59,168 Cheswold, DE $59,316

Clayton, DE $59,317 Dagsboro, DE $58,634 Delmar, DE $58,540 Ellendale, DE $58,718 Felton, DE $59,049 Fenwick Island, DE $58,647 Frankford, DE $58,545 Frederica, DE $59,107

Georgetown, DE $58,612 Greenwood, DE $58,884 Harbeson, DE $58,675 Harrington, DE $58,974 Hartly, DE $59,157 Houston, DE $58,890 Kenton, DE $59,320 Laurel, DE $58,577

Yorklyn, DE $59,115

Heavy Equipment Operator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Heavy Equipment Operator III'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.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

$53,161

Average $59,170/year

$65,790

$4,430

Average $4,931/month

$5,483

$1,022

Average $1,138/week

$1,265

$26

Average $28/hour

$32

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$65,790	$5,483	$1,265	$32
Average	$59,170	$4,931	$1,138	$28
25th Percentile	$53,161	$4,430	$1,022	$26

Heavy Equipment Operator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Heavy Equipment Operator III

Heavy Equipment Operator IV

For a Heavy Equipment Operator III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Heavy Equipment Operator IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $78,410 - a projected growth of 33% over your current level.

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