Operator I Salary in the United States

How much does an Operator I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operator I in the United States is $63,383 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,438
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,963 to $69,693
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,029
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View as table View as graph 25% $57,963 10% $53,029 90% $75,438 75% $69,693 $63,383 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Operator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $69,693 $5,808 $1,340 $34
Average $63,383 $5,282 $1,219 $30
25th Percentile $57,963 $4,830 $1,115 $28
Check out Operator I Job Openings in the United States
Machine Operator

Synerfac Technical Staffing - Columbus, OH

Forklift Operator

PrideStaff - Columbus West - Columbus, OH

Transload Operator

Savage Transload Network LLC - Columbus, OH

Drill Operator

Utilities One - Columbus, OH

Search More Operator I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Operator I Salaries

An Operator I'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 I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operator I'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): $62,919
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $70,438
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $86,679
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $95,704
  • Expert (over 8 years): $113,029
Levels Salary
Operator ... Level Operator I$62,919
Field Ope... Level Operator I$70,438
Field Ope... Level Operator I$86,679
Field Ope... Level Operator I$95,704
Field Ope... Level Operator I$113,029
$62,919 0 yr
$70,438 < 2 yrs
$86,679 2-4 yrs
$95,704 5-8 yrs
$113,029 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $70,177.
  • California: $69,911.
  • Massachusetts: $68,979.

Top Paying Cities for Operator Is

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: $79,944
  • San Francisco: $79,069
  • Oakland: $77,403

What Skills Can Increase an Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.43% 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 1.84% Job Postings): A schematic, or schematic diagram, is a representation of the elements of a system using abstract, graphic symbols rather than realistic pictures.
  • Customer Satisfaction (Mentioned in 1.13% Job Postings): Customer satisfaction (often abbreviated as CSAT, more correctly CSat) is a term frequently used in marketing. It is a measure of how products and services supplied by a company meet or surpass customer expectation. Customer satisfaction is defined as "the number of customers, or percentage of total customers, whose reported experience with a firm, its products, or its services (ratings) exceeds specified satisfaction goals." The Marketing Accountability Standards Board (MASB) endorses the definitions, purposes, and constructs of classes of measures that appear in Marketing Metrics as part of its ongoing Common Language in Marketing Project. In a survey of nearly 200 senior marketing managers, 71 percent responded that they found a customer satisfaction metric very useful in managing and monitoring their businesses. It is seen as a key performance indicator within business and is often part of a Balanced Scorecard. In a competitive marketplace where businesses compete for customers, customer satisfaction is seen as a key differentiator and increasingly has become a key element of business strategy.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.43%
Schematic 1.84%
Customer Satisfaction 1.13%
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 I's salary.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Calibration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Satisfaction
$68,453
8%
Project Management
$67,819
7%
Calibration
$66,552
5%
Technical Support
$66,552
5%
Schematic
$65,918
4%
Scheduling
$65,918
4%
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Operator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Operator positions in Software & Networking or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Operator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$88,736$43.040%
Internet$82,397$40.030%
Biotechnology$79,228$38.025%
Pharmaceuticals$79,228$38.025%
Energy & Utilities$72,890$35.015%

How Education impacts an Operator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operator Is 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 I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $60,229 and $64,339).

Operator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.4%
High School 44.4%
Associates 7.4%
Bachelors 40.7%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operator I'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

Salary Trends for Operator I

Salaries for an Operator I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $46,232 in 2023 to around $44,282 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Operator I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Operator I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$46,232
2024
$45,429
2025
$44,282
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $46,232
2024 $45,429
2025 $44,282
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Operator I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Operator I

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

Find Your Next Operator I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Central Ohio Transit Authority

    Columbus, OH

    Central Ohio Transit Authority | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Must be at least 21 years old.Must have a valid Ohio Driver's License and be able to obtain/maintai... more

    3 Days Ago

  • necoTECH

    Columbus, OH

    necoTECH | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. necoTECH is seeking an experienced and reliable Asphalt Plant Manager to join our team in Columbus. Ohio. The ideal candi... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Luxor Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Luxor Staffing | Columbus, OH

    2756 S Hamilton Rd - [Equipment Operator] - Weekly Pay (Direct Deposit/Onsite Check Delivery) / ACA Compliant Healthcare Benefits (Dental + Vision Coverage... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Luxor Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Luxor Staffing | Columbus, OH

    2756 S Hamilton Rd - [Equipment Operator] - Weekly Pay (Direct Deposit/Onsite Check Delivery) / ACA Compliant Healthcare Benefits (Dental + Vision Coverage... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Baesman Group, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Baesman Group, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. We love collaborating with passionate people who bring energy to work, thrive at solving challenges, and embrace the idea... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Gudenkauf, a Congruex company

    Columbus, OH

    Gudenkauf, a Congruex company | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Reports To. Construction Manager. Travel Potential. 25–50%. Compensation. $22.00 - $25.00 Hourly. Company Profile. Congru... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Operator I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Operator I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Operator I roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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