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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Equipment Operator in Louisiana is $67,415 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
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 | $75,158 | $6,263 | $1,445 | $36 |
| Average | $67,415 | $5,618 | $1,296 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,586 | $5,132 | $1,184 | $30 |
SA Recycling - Port Allen, LA
Pacer Staffing - New Iberia, LA
Waste Connections - Oakdale, LA
The City of West Monroe - West Monroe, LA
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 | $59,709 |
| Equipment... Level Equipment Operator | $66,845 |
| Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator | $82,258 |
| Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator | $90,823 |
| Field Ope... Level Equipment Operator | $107,263 |
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 | $75,504 | $36.0 | 12% |
| Construction | $74,156 | $36.0 | 10% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $72,808 | $35.0 | 8% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $72,134 | $35.0 | 7% |
| Media | $71,460 | $34.0 | 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 | $75,158 | $6,263 | $1,445 | $36 |
| Average | $67,415 | $5,618 | $1,296 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,586 | $5,132 | $1,184 | $30 |
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.
Waste Connections
Bourg, LA
Waste Connections | Bourg, LA
Waste Connections - - Responsibilities: Safely operate heavy equipment (bulldozers, compactors, loaders) to move, spread, and compact waste materials. Perf... more
5 Days Ago
Benchmark Utility Services
Shreveport, LA
Benchmark Utility Services | Shreveport, LA
Job Description. Job Description. Benchmark is a premier design-build, site and underground utility construction firm, completing over 500 projects spannin... more
6 Days Ago
Crest Industries
Pineville, LA
Crest Industries | Pineville, LA
Job Description. Job Description. Come join our team at DIS-TRAN Steel. Our people – not our machinery - are our biggest assets. DIS-TRAN Steel’s leadershi... more
6 Days Ago
Coastline Construction Group
Mandeville, LA
Coastline Construction Group | Mandeville, LA
Job Description. Job Description. CCG is seeking an experienced. equipment operator. to safely operate and maintain a variety of heavy machinery used in co... more
6 Days Ago
Acadian Contractors Inc
Abbeville, LA
Acadian Contractors Inc | Abbeville, LA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Job Summary. The Equipment Operator position requires the person to demonstrate the ability to safely and ef... more
7 Days Ago
Xylem I LLC
Covington, LA
Xylem I LLC | Covington, LA
Job Description. Job Description. The Equipment Operator operates heavy equipment of various types to remove branches and tree material from electrical lin... more
3 Days Ago
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