What are the main factors that influence a Landfill Operator's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Landfill Operator?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Landfill Operator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Landfill Operator's salary?

A Landfill Operator's salary grows with experience: a Heavy Equipment Operator I (0-1 years)earns $45,494, a Heavy Equipment Operator II (1-3 years)earns $51,334, a Heavy Equipment Operator III (3-5 years)earns $58,721, a Landfill Operator (5-7 years)earns $77,840,

What are the highest paying states for a Landfill Operator?

Landfill Operator salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Landfill Operator roles are District of Columbia $84,445, California $84,124, Massachusetts $83,003. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Landfill Operator roles make?

Salaries for Landfill Operator level roles vary by specialization: Landfill Manager: $116,733; Landfill Operations Manager: $102,901; Landfill Gas Technician: $93,292; Landfill Heavy Equip Operator: $79,194; Landfill Equipment Operator: $77,837.

Landfill Operator Salary in Delaware

How much does a Landfill Operator make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Landfill Operator in Delaware is $77,237 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,299
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,559 to $87,739
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,658

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Landfill Operator Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$87,739	$7,312	$1,687	$42
Average	$77,237	$6,436	$1,485	$37
25th Percentile	$68,559	$5,713	$1,318	$33

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Key Factors That Influence Landfill Operator Salaries

A Landfill 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.

How Do Landfill 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 Landfill Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $84,445.
California: $84,124.
Massachusetts: $83,003.

District of Columbia $84,445 California $84,124 Massachusetts $83,003 Washington $82,698 New Jersey $82,668 Alaska $82,561 Connecticut $81,508 New York $81,081

Hawaii $79,716 Rhode Island $79,075 Maryland $78,641 Minnesota $78,046 Colorado $77,817 Illinois $77,741 Oregon $77,451 Delaware $77,237

New Hampshire $77,103 Virginia $76,803 Pennsylvania $75,925 Nevada $75,483 North Dakota $75,338 Michigan $75,109 Wisconsin $75,026 Vermont $74,858

Texas $74,392 Maine $74,362 Arizona $74,316 Ohio $74,263 Georgia $73,561 Indiana $73,210 Wyoming $73,142 Utah $73,035

Iowa $72,989 Kansas $72,623 Louisiana $72,516 North Carolina $72,478 Missouri $72,463 Florida $72,165 Montana $72,005 Nebraska $71,853

Kentucky $71,769 South Carolina $71,464 Tennessee $71,273 Idaho $71,197 New Mexico $70,640 Oklahoma $70,518 Alabama $70,068 South Dakota $69,313

Arkansas $68,901 West Virginia $68,680 Mississippi $68,016

Top Paying Cities for Landfill 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:

Lincoln: $76,890
Little Creek: $77,452
Magnolia: $77,341

Lincoln, DE $76,890 Little Creek, DE $77,452 Magnolia, DE $77,341 Milford, DE $77,085 Marydel, DE $77,211 Millsboro, DE $76,567 Millville, DE $76,685 Milton, DE $76,818

Nassau, DE $76,874 Ocean View, DE $76,672 Rehoboth Beach, DE $76,819 Seaford, DE $76,863 Selbyville, DE $76,545 Smyrna, DE $77,506 Viola, DE $77,149 Woodside, DE $77,356

Bear, DE $77,178 Newark, DE $77,149 Claymont, DE $77,307 Delaware City, DE $77,226 Hockessin, DE $77,142 Kirkwood, DE $77,211 Middletown, DE $77,241 Montchanin, DE $77,160

New Castle, DE $77,171 Odessa, DE $77,279 Port Penn, DE $77,331 Rockland, DE $77,167 Saint Georges, DE $77,217 Townsend, DE $77,336 Winterthur, DE $77,176 Lewes, DE $76,848

Wilmington, DE $77,146 Dover, DE $77,452 Dover Afb, DE $77,044 Bethany Beach, DE $76,591 Bethel, DE $76,671 Bridgeville, DE $76,851 Camden Wyoming, DE $77,234 Cheswold, DE $77,427

Clayton, DE $77,430 Dagsboro, DE $76,538 Delmar, DE $76,415 Ellendale, DE $76,647 Felton, DE $77,079 Fenwick Island, DE $76,555 Frankford, DE $76,421 Frederica, DE $77,155

Georgetown, DE $76,509 Greenwood, DE $76,864 Harbeson, DE $76,591 Harrington, DE $76,981 Hartly, DE $77,221 Houston, DE $76,871 Kenton, DE $77,433 Laurel, DE $76,463

Yorklyn, DE $77,165

Landfill Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Landfill 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, Landfill Operator positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Landfill Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Landfill Operator

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense	$92,685	$45.0	20%
Biotechnology	$92,685	$45.0	20%
Chemicals	$92,685	$45.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$92,685	$45.0	20%
Financial Services	$92,685	$45.0	20%

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

Understanding how a Landfill 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 July 01, 2026

$68,559

Average $77,237/year

$87,739

$5,713

Average $6,436/month

$7,312

$1,318

Average $1,485/week

$1,687

$33

Average $37/hour

$42

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$87,739	$7,312	$1,687	$42
Average	$77,237	$6,436	$1,485	$37
25th Percentile	$68,559	$5,713	$1,318	$33

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