As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Heavy Equipment Operator IV in California is $85,447 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.
However, a Heavy Equipment Operator IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Heavy Equipment Operator IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $97,999 | $8,167 | $1,885 | $47 |
| Average | $85,447 | $7,121 | $1,643 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,582 | $6,382 | $1,473 | $37 |
Skillforce, Inc. - Concord, CA
Sims Metal - El Sobrante, CA
Radius Recycling - Oakland, CA
Essel Environmental - Oakland, CA
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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Operator I | 0-1 years | $49,941 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator II | 1-3 years | $56,351 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator III | 3-5 years | $64,459 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator IV | 5-7 years | $85,447 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
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 $95,572. While startup companies pay approximate $80,825.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $80,825 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $85,485 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $92,293 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $95,572 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $102,537 | $49.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $102,537 | $49.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $102,537 | $49.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $102,537 | $49.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $102,537 | $49.0 | 20% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $97,999 | $8,167 | $1,885 | $47 |
| Average | $85,447 | $7,121 | $1,643 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,582 | $6,382 | $1,473 | $37 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Heavy Equipment Operator IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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