Heavy Wrecker Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Heavy Wrecker Operator make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Heavy Wrecker Operator in the United States is $78,252 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,578
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,460 to $88,891
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,455
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View as table View as graph 25% $69,460 10% $61,455 90% $98,578 75% $88,891 $78,252 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Heavy Wrecker Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $88,891 $7,408 $1,709 $43
Average $78,252 $6,521 $1,505 $38
25th Percentile $69,460 $5,788 $1,336 $33
Check out Heavy Wrecker Operator Job Openings in the United States
Heavy Equipment Operator

Centuri Construction Group - Columbus, OH

Heavy Equipment Operator

Eccard Excavating - Pleasantville, OH

Heavy Equipment Operator

Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) - Columbus, OH

Heavy Equipment Excavator Operator

Klingelhofer Management Group LLC - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Heavy Wrecker Operator Salaries

A Heavy Wrecker 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 Do Heavy Wrecker 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 Heavy Wrecker Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $86,641.
  • California: $86,312.
  • Massachusetts: $85,162.

Top Paying Cities for Heavy Wrecker 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: $98,699
  • San Francisco: $97,618
  • Oakland: $95,561

What Skills Can Increase a Heavy Wrecker Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.21% 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.
  • Equipment Operation (Mentioned in 3.69% Job Postings): This is skilled and unskilled work in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used in maintenance and construction or on the grounds of state properties or facilities and routine maintenance of that equipment.
  • Public Works (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Public works are a broad category of infrastructure projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.21%
Equipment Operation 3.69%
Public Works 2.37%
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 Heavy Wrecker Operator's salary.
  • Waste Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Waste Management
 $82,164
5%
Time Management
 $82,164
5%
Written Communication
 $80,599
3%
Analysis
 $80,599
3%
Coordination
 $79,817
2%
Standard Operating Procedures
 $79,817
2%
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Heavy Wrecker Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Heavy Wrecker Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Heavy Wrecker Operator positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Heavy Wrecker Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Heavy Wrecker Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$93,902$45.020%
Biotechnology$93,902$45.020%
Chemicals$93,902$45.020%
Energy & Utilities$93,902$45.020%
Financial Services$93,902$45.020%

How Education impacts a Heavy Wrecker Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Heavy Wrecker 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 Heavy Wrecker Operator with a No Diploma is between $69,226 and $76,768).

Heavy Wrecker Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Heavy Wrecker Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 81.7%
Associates 8.4%
Bachelors 4.6%
Masters 1.1%
Doctorate 0.4%
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Heavy Wrecker Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Heavy Wrecker 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$69,460
Average $78,252/year
$88,891
$5,788
Average $6,521/month
$7,408
$1,336
Average $1,505/week
$1,709
$33
Average $38/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,891 $7,408 $1,709 $43
Average $78,252 $6,521 $1,505 $38
25th Percentile $69,460 $5,788 $1,336 $33

Salaries of jobs related to Heavy Wrecker Operator

Salary Trends for Heavy Wrecker Operator

Salaries for a Heavy Wrecker Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $66,146 in 2023 to around $65,962 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Heavy Wrecker Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Heavy Wrecker Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,146
2024
$66,555
2025
$65,962
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,146
2024 $66,555
2025 $65,962
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Heavy Wrecker Operator

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

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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.)

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