What are the main factors that influence an Equipment Operator's salary?

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

What industry pays the highest salary for Equipment Operator?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Equipment Operator roles, with salaries approximately 12% above the market median.

How does experience change An Equipment Operator's salary?

An Equipment Operator's salary grows with experience: a Field Operator I (0-1 years)earns $63,597, a Equipment Operator (1-3 years)earns $71,197, a Field Operator III (3-5 years)earns $87,613, a Field Operator IV (5-7 years)earns $96,735, a Field Operations Supervisor (7+ years)earns $114,247,

What are the highest paying states for an Equipment Operator?

Equipment Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Equipment Operator roles are District of Columbia $78,504, California $78,206, Massachusetts $77,164. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Equipment Operator roles make?

Salaries for Equipment Operator level roles vary by specialization: Nuclear Equipment Operator: $93,303; Landfill Equipment Operator: $77,858; Engineering Equipment Operator: $77,412; Auxiliary Equipment Operator: $68,617; Equipment Operator-Crane: $52,100.

Equipment Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does an Equipment Operator make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Equipment Operator in Delaware is $71,804 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:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,560
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,595 to $80,051
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,943

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Equipment Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$80,051	$6,671	$1,539	$38
Average	$71,804	$5,984	$1,381	$35
25th Percentile	$65,595	$5,466	$1,261	$32

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Equipment Operator Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Equipment Operator Salaries?

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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,597
Early Career (1-2 years): $71,197
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $87,613
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $96,735
Expert (over 8 years): $114,247

Levels	Salary
Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator	$63,597
Equipment... Level Equipment Operator	$71,197
Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator	$87,613
Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator	$96,735
Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator	$114,247

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Equipment Operator 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 Equipment Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $78,504.
California: $78,206.
Massachusetts: $77,164.

District of Columbia $78,504 California $78,206 Massachusetts $77,164 Washington $76,880 New Jersey $76,852 Alaska $76,753 Connecticut $75,774 New York $75,377

Hawaii $74,108 Rhode Island $73,512 Maryland $73,108 Minnesota $72,555 Colorado $72,342 Illinois $72,272 Oregon $72,002 Delaware $71,804

New Hampshire $71,679 Virginia $71,399 Pennsylvania $70,584 Nevada $70,173 North Dakota $70,038 Michigan $69,825 Wisconsin $69,747 Vermont $69,591

Texas $69,159 Maine $69,131 Arizona $69,088 Ohio $69,038 Georgia $68,386 Indiana $68,060 Wyoming $67,996 Utah $67,897

Iowa $67,854 Kansas $67,514 Louisiana $67,415 North Carolina $67,379 Missouri $67,365 Florida $67,089 Montana $66,940 Nebraska $66,798

Kentucky $66,720 South Carolina $66,436 Tennessee $66,259 Idaho $66,188 New Mexico $65,670 Oklahoma $65,557 Alabama $65,139 South Dakota $64,437

Arkansas $64,054 West Virginia $63,848 Mississippi $63,231

Top Paying Cities for Equipment Operators

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: $71,480
Little Creek: $72,004
Magnolia: $71,900

Lincoln, DE $71,480 Little Creek, DE $72,004 Magnolia, DE $71,900 Milford, DE $71,662 Marydel, DE $71,779 Millsboro, DE $71,180 Millville, DE $71,290 Milton, DE $71,414

Nassau, DE $71,465 Ocean View, DE $71,278 Rehoboth Beach, DE $71,415 Seaford, DE $71,455 Selbyville, DE $71,160 Smyrna, DE $72,053 Viola, DE $71,721 Woodside, DE $71,914

Bear, DE $71,748 Newark, DE $71,721 Claymont, DE $71,868 Delaware City, DE $71,793 Hockessin, DE $71,715 Kirkwood, DE $71,779 Middletown, DE $71,807 Montchanin, DE $71,731

New Castle, DE $71,742 Odessa, DE $71,843 Port Penn, DE $71,891 Rockland, DE $71,738 Saint Georges, DE $71,784 Townsend, DE $71,895 Winterthur, DE $71,747 Lewes, DE $71,441

Wilmington, DE $71,718 Dover, DE $72,004 Dover Afb, DE $71,624 Bethany Beach, DE $71,203 Bethel, DE $71,277 Bridgeville, DE $71,445 Camden Wyoming, DE $71,801 Cheswold, DE $71,980

Clayton, DE $71,982 Dagsboro, DE $71,153 Delmar, DE $71,039 Ellendale, DE $71,255 Felton, DE $71,656 Fenwick Island, DE $71,169 Frankford, DE $71,045 Frederica, DE $71,727

Georgetown, DE $71,126 Greenwood, DE $71,456 Harbeson, DE $71,202 Harrington, DE $71,565 Hartly, DE $71,788 Houston, DE $71,463 Kenton, DE $71,986 Laurel, DE $71,084

Yorklyn, DE $71,736

Equipment Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for an Equipment Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities	$80,420	$39.0	12%
Construction	$78,984	$38.0	10%
Aerospace & Defense	$77,548	$37.0	8%
Retail & Wholesale	$76,830	$37.0	7%
Media	$76,112	$37.0	6%

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

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

$65,595

Average $71,804/year

$80,051

$5,466

Average $5,984/month

$6,671

$1,261

Average $1,381/week

$1,539

$32

Average $35/hour

$38

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$80,051	$6,671	$1,539	$38
Average	$71,804	$5,984	$1,381	$35
25th Percentile	$65,595	$5,466	$1,261	$32

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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.

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Equipment Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does an Equipment Operator make in Delaware?

Key Factors That Influence Equipment Operator Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Equipment Operator Salaries?

How Do Equipment Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Equipment Operators

Equipment Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for an Equipment Operator

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

Salaries of jobs related to Equipment Operator

Find Your Next Equipment Operator Job

Cost of Living In Delaware

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?