Sensor Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Sensor Operator make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sensor Operator in the United States is $55,609 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,959
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,278 to $63,121
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,604
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $48,278 10% $41,604 90% $69,959 75% $63,121 $55,609 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Sensor Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $63,121 $5,260 $1,214 $30
Average $55,609 $4,634 $1,069 $27
25th Percentile $48,278 $4,023 $928 $23
Check out Sensor Operator Job Openings in the United States
Airborne Sensor Operator

Leidos - HERNDON, VA

MCE Non Deployable Sensor Operator

General Atomics Intelligence - INDIAN SPRINGS, NV

Board Operator

Marathon Petroleum - DALLAS, WV

Terminal Operator

ConGlobal - LAWRENCE, KS

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Key Factors That Influence Sensor Operator Salaries

A Sensor 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 Sensor Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Sensor 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): $52,612
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,834
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $55,609
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,702
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,923
Levels Salary
Entry Level Sensor Operator$52,612
Intermediate Level Sensor Operator$52,834
Senior Level Sensor Operator$55,609
Specialist Level Sensor Operator$58,702
Expert Level Sensor Operator$58,923
$52,612 0 yr
$52,834 < 2 yrs
$55,609 2-4 yrs
$58,702 5-8 yrs
$58,923 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Sensor 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: $70,140
  • San Francisco: $69,450
  • Oakland: $67,910

What Skills Can Increase a Sensor Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 12.82% 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.
  • Spring (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the colder winter months. During spring, dormant plants begin to grow again, new seedlings sprout out of the ground and hibernating animals awake.
  • Safety Standards (Mentioned in 1.43% Job Postings): Safety standards are designed to ensure the safety of products, activities and processes, etc. They may be advisory or compulsory and are normally laid down by an advisory or regulatory body that may be either voluntary or statutory.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 12.82%
Spring 1.97%
Safety Standards 1.43%
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 Sensor Operator's salary.
  • First Aid: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • PowerPoint: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Curriculum Development: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
First Aid
 $64,506
16%
PowerPoint
 $63,394
14%
Curriculum Development
 $62,838
13%
LMS
 $62,838
13%
Planning
 $62,838
13%
Verbal Communication
 $62,838
13%
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How Education impacts a Sensor Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Sensor Operators enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Sensor Operator with a Bachelor's Degree is between $48,366 and $54,387).

Sensor Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Sensor Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 33.3%
High School 33.3%
Associates 33.3%
Bachelors 33.3%
Masters 33.3%
Doctorate 33.3%
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Sensor Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Sensor 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 January 01, 2026
$48,278
Average $55,609/year
$63,121
$4,023
Average $4,634/month
$5,260
$928
Average $1,069/week
$1,214
$23
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,121 $5,260 $1,214 $30
Average $55,609 $4,634 $1,069 $27
25th Percentile $48,278 $4,023 $928 $23

Salaries of jobs related to Sensor Operator

Salary Trends for Sensor Operator

Salaries for a Sensor Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,844 in 2023 to around $52,974 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Sensor Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Sensor Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,844
2024
$54,143
2025
$52,974
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,844
2024 $54,143
2025 $52,974
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Sensor Operator

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

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

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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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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