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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Equipment Operator in Colorado is $72,342 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, an Equipment Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Equipment Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,652 | $6,721 | $1,551 | $39 |
| Average | $72,342 | $6,029 | $1,391 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,088 | $5,507 | $1,271 | $32 |
SiteOne - Monument, CO
SiteOne - Colorado Springs, CO
Clean Harbors - Deer Trail, CO
Frank Calandra Jennmar Services - Grand Junction, CO
An Equipment Operator'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 an Equipment Operator'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 |
|---|---|
| Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator | $64,074 |
| Equipment... Level Equipment Operator | $71,731 |
| Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator | $88,271 |
| Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator | $97,461 |
| Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator | $115,104 |
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 Equipment 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:
For Equipment Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 24% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 12% above the average. In contrast, Equipment Operator positions in Financial Services or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Equipment Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $81,024 | $39.0 | 12% |
| Construction | $79,577 | $38.0 | 10% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $78,130 | $38.0 | 8% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $77,406 | $37.0 | 7% |
| Media | $76,683 | $37.0 | 6% |
Understanding how an Equipment 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 | $80,652 | $6,721 | $1,551 | $39 |
| Average | $72,342 | $6,029 | $1,391 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,088 | $5,507 | $1,271 | $32 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Equipment Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Canyon Construction Company
Durango, CO
Canyon Construction Company | Durango, CO
Job Description. Job Description. What We Do. At Canyon Construction, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions while maintain... more
5 Days Ago
Congruex
Brighton, CO
Congruex | Brighton, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Reports To. Construction Manager. Travel Potential. 25–50%. Compensation. $24.00 – $30.00 Hourly. Company Profile. Congru... more
6 Days Ago
Lumin8 Transportation Technologies LLC
Arvada, CO
Lumin8 Transportation Technologies LLC | Arvada, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Equipment Operator. At Lumin8 Transportation Technologies, we are committed to delivering a full range of Smart Infrastru... more
6 Days Ago
Viaero Fiber Networks
Fort Morgan, CO
Viaero Fiber Networks | Fort Morgan, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Reliable. Robust. Ready. Viaero Fiber is seeking an. Equipment Operator. that has experience in operating and maintaining... more
4 Days Ago
Velocity Constructors Inc.
Englewood, CO
Velocity Constructors Inc. | Englewood, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Velocity Constructors, Inc. is an employee-owned company that builds critical water and wastewater infrastructure. We exp... more
4 Days Ago
Clean Harbors
Deer Trail, CO
Clean Harbors | Deer Trail, CO
Job Description. Job Description. Clean Harbors. is seeking a. Facility Equipment Operator. for their. Deer Trail, Colorado. facility. As a. Facility Equip... more
4 Days Ago
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