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Small Equipment Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Small Equipment Operator make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Small Equipment Operator in the United States is $40,408 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,373
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,157 to $43,530
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,197
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Small Equipment Operator Salaries

A Small 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Small Equipment Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Small 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): $40,178
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,653
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $50,669
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $54,436
  • Expert (over 8 years): $79,112
Levels Salary
Small Equ... Level Small Equipment Operator$40,178
Machine O... Level Small Equipment Operator$44,653
Machine O... Level Small Equipment Operator$50,669
Machine O... Level Small Equipment Operator$54,436
Machine O... Level Small Equipment Operator$79,112
View as Graph

How Do Small 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 Small Equipment Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $44,740.
  • California: $44,570.
  • Massachusetts: $43,976.

Top Paying Cities for Small 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:

  • San Jose: $50,966
  • San Francisco: $50,408
  • Oakland: $49,346

What Skills Can Increase a Small Equipment Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.86% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Machine Operation (Mentioned in 3.15% Job Postings): Applying methods and techniques to implement, maintain, repair, design, and update various machines following specific rules to ensure safety.
  • Container (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.86%
Machine Operation 3.15%
Container 2.29%
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 a Small Equipment Operator's salary.

  • CNC: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CNC $43,236
7%
Accountability $42,024
4%
SOP $41,620
3%
Get Latest Data

Small Equipment Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Small Equipment Operator 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 MFG Nondurable and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Small Equipment Operator positions in MFG Durable or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Small Equipment Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Small Equipment Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$54,551$26.035%
Financial Services$52,530$25.030%
Media$50,510$24.025%
Biotechnology$48,489$23.020%
Insurance$46,469$22.015%

How Education impacts a Small Equipment Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Small Equipment Operators enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Small Equipment Operator with a No Diploma is between $37,041 and $39,424).

Small Equipment Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Small Equipment Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.4%
High School 69.8%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 7.3%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Small 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 September 01, 2026
$37,157
Average $40,408/year
$43,530
$3,096
Average $3,367/month
$3,628
$715
Average $777/week
$837
$18
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $43,530 $3,628 $837 $21
Average $40,408 $3,367 $777 $19
25th Percentile $37,157 $3,096 $715 $18

Most common benefits for Small Equipment Operator

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

Common company salaries for Small Equipment Operator

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

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FAQ about Small Equipment Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Small Equipment Operator?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Small Equipment Operator roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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