Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Wheel Loader Operator in North Carolina is $61,503 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Wheel Loader Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
Wheel Loader Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $67,780 | $5,648 | $1,303 | $33 |
| Average | $61,503 | $5,125 | $1,183 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,350 | $4,779 | $1,103 | $28 |
Travis Materials - Fayetteville, NC
S.T. Wooten Corporation - Wilmington, NC
S.T. Wooten Corporation - Clayton, NC
CRH - Greensboro, NC
A Wheel Loader 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.
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 Wheel Loader Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Wheel Loader Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 54% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 33% above the average. In contrast, Wheel Loader Operator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Wheel Loader Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $81,799 | $39.0 | 33% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $78,724 | $38.0 | 28% |
| Software & Networking | $77,494 | $37.0 | 26% |
| Internet | $73,189 | $35.0 | 19% |
| Chemicals | $65,808 | $32.0 | 7% |
Understanding how a Wheel Loader 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $67,780 | $5,648 | $1,303 | $33 |
| Average | $61,503 | $5,125 | $1,183 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,350 | $4,779 | $1,103 | $28 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Wheel Loader Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
S.T. Wooten Corporation
Kipling, NC
S.T. Wooten Corporation | Kipling, NC
Job Description. Job Description. JOB LOCATION: Goldsboro, NCPRIMARY FUNCTION:Perform general tasks involving physical labor as well as operating the loade... more
10 Days Ago
S.T. Wooten Corporation
Wilson, NC
S.T. Wooten Corporation | Wilson, NC
Job Description. Job Description. JOB LOCATION: Wilson, NCAVAILABLE POSITIONS: 1PRIMARY FUNCTION:Perform general tasks involving physical labor as well as ... more
10 Days Ago
Heidelberg Materials
Princeton, NC
Heidelberg Materials | Princeton, NC
AggregatesHeidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest suppliers of building materials. Heidelberg Materials North America operates over 450 location... more
7 Days Ago
Martin Marietta
Greensboro, NC
Martin Marietta | Greensboro, NC
Pit Loader OperatorMartin Marietta is seeking a Pit Loader Operator to join our team. The ideal individual will be safety conscious, dependable, and motiva... more
7 Days Ago
Buechel Stone Corporation
Marion, NC
Buechel Stone Corporation | Marion, NC
Job Description. Job Description. This is a 1st Shift PositionBenefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, 8 Paid Holidays, Pa... more
7 Days Ago
Staff Management SMX
Durham, NC
Staff Management SMX | Durham, NC
Staff Management SMX - - Responsibilities: Operate warehouse material handling equipment (forklifts, cherry pickers, turrets, electric pallet jacks) to mov... more
8 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
