Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salary in the United States
How much does a Heavy Equipment Operator IV make in the United States?
As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Heavy Equipment Operator IV in the United States is $77,468 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Heavy Equipment Operator IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,209
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,431 to $88,848
Key Factors That Influence Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salaries
A Heavy Equipment Operator IV'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, education, 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 IV'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): $45,277
Heavy Equipment Operator II (1-3 years): $51,089
Heavy Equipment Operator III (3-5 years): $58,440
Heavy Equipment Operator IV (5-7 years): $77,468
Job Role
Years of Experience
Average Salary
Heavy Equipment Operator I
0-1 years
$45,277
Heavy Equipment Operator II
1-3 years
$51,089
Heavy Equipment Operator III
3-5 years
$58,440
Heavy Equipment Operator IV
5-7 years
$77,468
$45,277Heavy Equ...
$51,089Heavy Equ...
$58,440Heavy Equ...
$77,468Heavy Equ...
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
How Do Heavy Equipment Operator IV 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 IVs.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Top Paying Cities for Heavy Equipment Operator IVs
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:
San Jose: $97,710
San Francisco: $96,641
Oakland: $94,604
San Jose, CA$97,710
San Francisco, CA$96,641
Oakland, CA$94,604
New York, NY$89,196
Paramus, NJ$88,111
Queens Village, NY$88,107
Passaic, NJ$88,034
Bergenfield, NJ$88,027
Stamford, CT$87,856
Huntington, NY$87,825
Newark, NJ$87,252
Bridgeport, CT$87,089
Vallejo, CA$86,935
New Brunswick, NJ$86,904
Petaluma, CA$86,857
Middlesex, NJ$86,710
Somerset, NJ$86,656
Santa Cruz, CA$86,555
Boston, MA$86,082
Monterey, CA$85,811
Seattle, WA$85,633
Santa Rosa, CA$85,618
Los Angeles, CA$85,594
Juneau, AK$85,393
Washington, DC$85,308
Orange, CA$85,032
Santa Ana, CA$84,827
Long Beach, CA$84,750
Anaheim, CA$84,734
Anchorage, AK$84,696
Santa Maria, CA$84,463
Everett, WA$84,448
Danbury, CT$84,175
Bremerton, WA$84,068
Tacoma, WA$83,789
New Suffolk, NY$83,788
Sacramento, CA$83,766
Santa Barbara, CA$83,681
Trenton, NJ$83,596
San Diego, CA$83,596
Brockton, MA$83,511
Fairbanks, AK$83,321
Lompoc, CA$83,123
Lowell, MA$83,060
Ventura, CA$83,046
Nashua, NH$83,030
Stockton, CA$83,022
Modesto, CA$82,457
Poughkeepsie, NY$82,287
Olympia, WA$82,139
Kennewick, WA$82,139
New Haven, CT$82,108
Lawrence, MA$81,829
Hartford, CT$81,752
Riverside, CA$81,736
New Bedford, MA$81,659
Richland, WA$81,659
Bakersfield, CA$81,551
San Bernardino, CA$81,520
New Britain, CT$81,512
Atlantic City, NJ$81,512
New London, CT$81,481
Norwich, CT$81,458
Portsmouth, NH$81,442
Boulder, CO$81,278
Portland, OR$81,171
Worcester, MA$81,163
Minneapolis, MN$80,923
Philadelphia, PA$80,815
Honolulu, HI$80,559
Saint Paul, MN$80,522
Vineland, NJ$80,505
Providence, RI$80,280
Chicago, IL$80,055
Bellingham, WA$79,962
Springfield, MA$79,900
Baltimore, MD$79,877
Chico, CA$79,684
Pittsfield, MA$79,474
Manchester, NH$79,327
Spokane, WA$78,986
Denver, CO$78,979
Albany, NY$78,615
Troy, NY$78,584
Nassau, NY$78,501
Schenectady, NY$78,421
Wilmington, DE$78,359
Burlington, VT$78,250
Salem, OR$78,219
Portland, ME$77,979
Yakima, WA$77,902
Rochester, MN$77,662
Reno, NV$77,623
Fresno, CA$77,623
Milwaukee, WI$77,553
Detroit, MI$77,476
Ann Arbor, MI$77,463
Allentown, PA$77,453
Colorado Springs, CO$77,321
Syracuse, NY$77,282
Carson City, NV$77,282
Houston, TX$77,174
Eugene, OR$77,135
Gary, IN$77,042
Springfield, OR$76,980
Bismarck, ND$76,964
Galveston, TX$76,910
Medford, OR$76,794
Fort Collins, CO$76,763
Concord, NH$76,724
Austin, TX$76,701
Mesa, AZ$76,538
Reading, PA$76,531
Phoenix, AZ$76,523
Dallas, TX$76,500
Saint Cloud, MN$76,425
Madison, WI$76,321
Utica, NY$76,112
Rochester, NY$75,988
Des Moines, IA$75,981
Raleigh, NC$75,973
Atlanta, GA$75,857
Battle Creek, MI$75,833
Salt Lake City, UT$75,810
Lancaster, PA$75,694
Harrisburg, PA$75,586
Kansas City, MO$75,508
Champaign, IL$75,493
Kansas City, KS$75,493
Fort Worth, TX$75,485
Columbus, OH$75,472
Boca Raton, FL$75,454
Pittsburgh, PA$75,423
Richmond, VA$75,392
Indianapolis, IN$75,376
Cleveland, OH$75,369
Las Vegas, NV$75,276
Cincinnati, OH$75,276
Petersburg, VA$75,159
Huntsville, AL$75,043
Lansing, MI$74,991
Lebanon, PA$74,981
Pueblo, CO$74,974
Appleton, WI$74,950
Buffalo, NY$74,919
Dayton, OH$74,896
Racine, WI$74,881
Charlotte, NC$74,873
Saint Louis, MO$74,850
York, PA$74,803
Elkhart, IN$74,803
Gastonia, NC$74,788
Billings, MT$74,770
Beaumont, TX$74,749
Lorain, OH$74,733
Benton Harbor, MI$74,718
Toledo, OH$74,702
Binghamton, NY$74,664
Rock Hill, SC$74,656
Rockford, IL$74,617
Springfield, IL$74,586
Elyria, OH$74,578
Fargo, ND$74,578
Flagstaff, AZ$74,524
Fort Lauderdale, FL$74,478
Duluth, MN$74,431
Miami, FL$74,431
Cheyenne, WY$74,377
Grand Forks, ND$74,377
Bangor, ME$74,207
Cedar Rapids, IA$74,121
Durham, NC$74,089
Louisville, KY$74,083
Grand Rapids, MI$74,067
Hialeah, FL$74,059
Casper, WY$73,951
Scranton, PA$73,858
New Orleans, LA$73,835
Virginia Beach, VA$73,827
Akron, OH$73,788
Peoria, IL$73,688
Sarasota, FL$73,672
Nashville, TN$73,618
Omaha, NE$73,618
Green Bay, WI$73,618
Baton Rouge, LA$73,579
Charleston, SC$73,564
Jamestown, NY$73,525
Davenport, IA$73,525
Tucson, AZ$73,486
Saint Petersburg, FL$73,440
Tampa, FL$73,424
Evansville, IN$73,378
Port Arthur, TX$73,378
Bradenton, FL$73,347
Santa Fe, NM$73,207
Orlando, FL$73,068
Clearwater, FL$73,045
Canton, OH$72,882
La Crosse, WI$72,882
Albuquerque, NM$72,835
Newport News, VA$72,828
High Point, NC$72,804
Ogden, UT$72,773
Corpus Christi, TX$72,711
Norfolk, VA$72,665
Laramie, WY$72,665
Rock Island, IL$72,619
Saginaw, MI$72,603
Jacksonville, FL$72,595
Salisbury, NC$72,580
Boise, ID$72,564
Moline, IL$72,526
Fort Myers, FL$72,502
Memphis, TN$72,487
Tulsa, OK$72,448
Waterloo, IA$72,402
Spartanburg, SC$72,324
Lincoln, NE$72,285
Fort Wayne, IN$72,270
Provo, UT$72,262
Cedar Falls, IA$72,169
San Antonio, TX$72,138
Greensboro, NC$72,107
South Bend, IN$72,099
Savannah, GA$72,014
Muskegon, MI$71,983
Birmingham, AL$71,976
Winston Salem, NC$71,938
Lake Charles, LA$71,751
Anderson, IN$71,735
Lexington, KY$71,712
Augusta, GA$71,689
Greenville, SC$71,689
Lima, OH$71,627
Wichita, KS$71,619
Tuscaloosa, AL$71,619
Columbia, SC$71,549
Springfield, OH$71,534
Asheville, NC$71,410
Bloomington, IN$71,356
Knoxville, TN$71,077
Shreveport, LA$71,069
Wilmington, NC$70,968
Roanoke, VA$70,968
Topeka, KS$70,829
Frankfort, KY$70,820
Oklahoma City, OK$70,767
Chillicothe, OH$70,736
Longview, TX$70,728
Melbourne, FL$70,721
Sioux Falls, SD$70,597
Mobile, AL$70,589
Terre Haute, IN$70,558
Altoona, PA$70,511
Amarillo, TX$70,457
Killeen, TX$70,434
Fayetteville, AR$70,372
Chattanooga, TN$70,349
Sioux City, IA$70,279
Idaho Falls, ID$70,263
Lynchburg, VA$70,202
Gainesville, FL$70,101
Portsmouth, OH$70,062
Little Rock, AR$70,047
Lafayette, LA$70,016
Youngstown, OH$70,016
Daytona Beach, FL$69,969
Clarksville, TN$69,961
Pensacola, FL$69,954
Temple, TX$69,948
Hopkinsville, KY$69,721
Erie, PA$69,706
Florence, SC$69,675
Charleston, WV$69,551
Great Falls, MT$69,512
Macon, GA$69,404
Tallahassee, FL$69,396
Fayetteville, NC$69,380
Waco, TX$69,365
Helena, MT$69,311
Pine Bluff, AR$69,281
Vincennes, IN$69,187
Lubbock, TX$69,156
Alamogordo, NM$69,109
Twin Falls, ID$69,039
Rapid City, SD$69,016
Jackson, MS$68,877
Huntington, WV$68,871
Greenville, MS$68,869
Parkersburg, WV$68,790
Montgomery, AL$68,776
Wichita Falls, TX$68,699
Springfield, MO$68,699
Biloxi, MS$68,660
Monroe, LA$68,582
Johnstown, PA$68,528
Sumter, SC$68,497
Columbus, GA$68,489
Pascagoula, MS$68,342
Abilene, TX$68,342
Kingsport, TN$68,141
Albany, GA$68,141
Gulfport, MS$68,118
Alexandria, LA$67,862
Fort Smith, AR$67,668
El Paso, TX$67,459
Las Cruces, NM$67,111
Harlingen, TX$66,914
Pocatello, ID$66,901
Florence, AL$66,801
Brownsville, TX$66,785
Mcallen, TX$66,622
Dothan, AL$66,514
Columbus, MS$66,054
Altus, OK$65,693
Lawton, OK$65,546
Pierre, SD$65,267
What Skills Can Increase a Heavy Equipment Operator IV's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Commitment (Mentioned in 5.21% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 3.69% Job Postings): This is skilled and unskilled work in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction or on the grounds of state properties or facilities and routine maintenance of that equipment.
Public Works (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Public works are a broad category of infrastructure projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Commitment
5.21%
Equipment Operation
3.69%
Public Works
2.37%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay.
Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Heavy Equipment Operator IV's salary.
Waste Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Waste Management
$81,341
5%
Time Management
$81,341
5%
Written Communication
$79,792
3%
Analysis
$79,792
3%
Coordination
$79,017
2%
Standard Operating Procedures
$79,017
2%
Get Latest Data
Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Heavy Equipment Operator IV salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $86,647.
While startup companies pay approximate $73,278.
Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$73,278
Growth Stage
51~500
$77,503
Established
501~5000
$83,675
Enterprise
5000+
$86,647
Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Heavy Equipment Operator IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average.
In contrast, Heavy Equipment Operator positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Heavy Equipment Operator IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Heavy Equipment Operator IV
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense
$92,962
$45.0
20%
Biotechnology
$92,962
$45.0
20%
Chemicals
$92,962
$45.0
20%
Energy & Utilities
$92,962
$45.0
20%
Financial Services
$92,962
$45.0
20%
How Education impacts a Heavy Equipment Operator IV's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Heavy Equipment Operator IVs enter the field with a No Diploma degree,
higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data,
the median salary for a Heavy Equipment Operator IV with a No Diploma is between
$69,226
and $76,768).
Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salaries by Degree Level
Typical Education for Heavy Equipment Operator IV
No Diploma3.8%
High School81.7%
Associates8.4%
Bachelors4.6%
Masters1.1%
Doctorate0.4%
view as table
Degree Level
% of user with this level of education
No Diploma
3.8%
High School
81.7%
Associates
8.4%
Bachelors
4.6%
Masters
1.1%
Doctorate
0.4%
view as graph
Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Heavy Equipment Operator IV'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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$69,431
Average$77,468/year
$88,848
$5,786
Average$6,456/month
$7,404
$1,335
Average$1,490/week
$1,709
$33
Average$37/hour
$43
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$88,848
$7,404
$1,709
$43
Average
$77,468
$6,456
$1,490
$37
25th Percentile
$69,431
$5,786
$1,335
$33
Salaries of jobs related to Heavy Equipment Operator IV
Salaries for a Heavy Equipment Operator IV can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $64,976 in 2023
to around $64,796 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Heavy Equipment Operator IV salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Heavy Equipment Operator IV Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$64,976
2024
$65,378
2025
$64,796
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$64,976
2024
$65,378
2025
$64,796
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Heavy Equipment Operator IV
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Heavy Equipment Operator IV
Here are companies hiring for Heavy Equipment Operator IV and their salaries, click below for more details.
C
$128,509/per year
C R Bard Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
H
$124,697/per year
Henry Schein Canada
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$123,899/per year
Nordex Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$120,416/per year
Nipro Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$115,870/per year
Enovis
Biotechnology
the United States
A
$114,553/per year
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
Biotechnology
the United States
M
$112,110/per year
MiniMed Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$111,500/per year
Labcorp Drug Development
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$110,229/per year
Life Technologies Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
Z
$106,224/per year
Zimmer Biomet
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$103,077/per year
Promontory Therapeutics
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$102,181/per year
Steris PLC
Biotechnology
the United States
G
$97,274/per year
Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$94,764/per year
Endeavor BioMedicines
Biotechnology
the United States
R
$94,402/per year
Replay Holdings LLC
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$94,235/per year
Pleno Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$93,666/per year
Simulaids Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$88,880/per year
NOIRLab/CAS
Biotechnology
the United States
O
$86,468/per year
Onward Technology
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$84,895/per year
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$84,682/per year
Eyeco Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$84,523/per year
Paerosol
Biotechnology
the United States
I
$83,525/per year
IONIQ Sciences Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$82,815/per year
Stateside PPE
Biotechnology
the United States
D
$82,041/per year
Digi Bio
Biotechnology
the United States
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FAQ about Heavy Equipment Operator IV
1. Where can a Heavy Equipment Operator IV earn the most?
A Heavy Equipment Operator IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer.
According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Heavy Equipment Operator IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Heavy Equipment Operator IV is $97,710.
2. What is the highest pay for Heavy Equipment Operator IV?
The highest pay for Heavy Equipment Operator IV is $99,209.
3. What is the lowest pay for Heavy Equipment Operator IV?
The lowest pay for Heavy Equipment Operator IV is $62,114.
4. What are the responsibilities of Heavy Equipment Operator IV?
Operates heavy equipment or machinery, such as a tractor, bulldozer, backhoe, or excavator, for the purposes of construction, demolition, or excavation. Prepares equipment and conducts routine inspections prior to operation to ensure it is safe and in working condition. Identifies and addresses potential hazards and adheres to all safety protocols and regulations. May be responsible for scheduling minor repairs and conducting routine maintenance like cleaning and lubricating. Requires a high school diploma. May require State License. Typically reports to a supervisor. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience.
5. What industry pays the highest salary for Heavy Equipment Operator IV?
The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Heavy Equipment Operator IV roles,
with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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