As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operator Engineer in the United States is $108,153 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, an Operator Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Operator Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Operator Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Industria... Level Operator Engineer | $76,402 |
| Industria... Level Operator Engineer | $94,193 |
| Operator ... Level Operator Engineer | $110,324 |
| Industria... Level Operator Engineer | $123,337 |
| Industria... Level Operator Engineer | $145,294 |
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 Operator Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.79% |
| Logistics | 1.98% |
| Supply Chain | 1.55% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Azure
|
$116,805 |
8%
|
|
AWS
|
$114,642 |
6%
|
|
Python
|
$114,642 |
6%
|
|
DevOps
|
$113,561 |
5%
|
|
Jenkins
|
$113,561 |
5%
|
|
Linux
|
$112,479 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operator Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Operator Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $107,972 and $114,241).
Operator Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 0.4% |
| Associates | 0.9% |
| Bachelors | 44.4% |
| Masters | 51.1% |
| Doctorate | 3.1% |
Understanding how an Operator Engineer'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 February 01, 2026Salaries for an Operator Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $106,207 in 2023 to around $105,557 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operator Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $106,207 |
| 2024 | $106,777 |
| 2025 | $105,557 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Operator Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
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