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Operator, Entry Salary in the United States

How much does an Operator, Entry make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operator, Entry in the United States is $72,947 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, an Operator, Entry's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,960
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,643 to $81,329
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,904
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Operator, Entry Salaries

An Operator, Entry'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.

How Experience Level Affects Operator, Entry Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operator, Entry'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): $64,611
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,331
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,013
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $98,278
  • Expert (over 8 years): $116,079
Levels Salary
Field Ope... Level Operator, Entry$64,611
Operator,... Level Operator, Entry$72,331
Field Ope... Level Operator, Entry$89,013
Field Ope... Level Operator, Entry$98,278
Field Ope... Level Operator, Entry$116,079
View as Graph

How Do Operator, Entry 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 Operator, Entries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $80,767.
  • California: $80,461.
  • Massachusetts: $79,388.

Top Paying Cities for Operator, Entries

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:

  • San Jose: $92,008
  • San Francisco: $91,001
  • Oakland: $89,083

What Skills Can Increase an Operator, Entry's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.42% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Schematic (Mentioned in 1.9% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
  • HVAC (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Designing, developing, maintaining, and updating Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning and Cooling system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.42%
Schematic 1.9%
HVAC 1.17%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Operator, Entry's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Field Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Technical Support: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $80,242
10%
Field Operations $80,242
10%
Technical Support $78,783
8%
Get Latest Data

Operator, Entry Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operator, Entry 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, Operator, Entry positions in Financial Services or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operator, Entry as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Operator, Entry

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$81,701$39.012%
Construction$80,242$39.010%
Aerospace & Defense$78,783$38.08%
Retail & Wholesale$78,054$38.07%
Media$77,324$37.06%

How Education impacts an Operator, Entry's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operator, Entries enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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, Entry with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $70,446 and $74,310).

Operator, Entry Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operator, Entry
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 28.6%
High School 28.6%
Associates 21.4%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Operator, Entry'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 September 01, 2026
$66,643
Average $72,947/year
$81,329
$5,554
Average $6,079/month
$6,777
$1,282
Average $1,403/week
$1,564
$32
Average $35/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,329 $6,777 $1,564 $39
Average $72,947 $6,079 $1,403 $35
25th Percentile $66,643 $5,554 $1,282 $32

Most common benefits for Operator, Entry

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Operator, Entry

Here are companies hiring for Operator, Entry and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Operator, Entry

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Operator, Entry?

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

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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