Special Forces Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Special Forces Operator make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Special Forces Operator in the United States is $42,546 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $48,826
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,123 to $45,833
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,006
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $39,123 10% $36,006 90% $48,826 75% $45,833 $42,546 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Special Forces Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $45,833 $3,819 $881 $22
Average $42,546 $3,545 $818 $20
25th Percentile $39,123 $3,260 $752 $19
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Key Factors That Influence Special Forces Operator Salaries

A Special Forces 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 Special Forces 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 Special Forces Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $47,107.
  • California: $46,928.
  • Massachusetts: $46,303.

Top Paying Cities for Special Forces 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: $53,663
  • San Francisco: $53,136
  • Oakland: $51,957

What Skills Can Increase a Special Forces Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 7.05% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Repairing (Mentioned in 2.85% Job Postings): To put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 1.57% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 7.05%
Repairing 2.85%
Hydraulics 1.57%
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 Special Forces Operator's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Bill of Materials: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
 $47,651
12%
Bill of Materials
 $47,226
11%
Initiative
 $46,800
10%
Commitment
 $46,375
9%
Products and Services
 $45,099
6%
Process Improvement
 $44,248
4%
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Special Forces Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Special Forces 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 February 01, 2026
$39,123
Average $42,546/year
$45,833
$3,260
Average $3,545/month
$3,819
$752
Average $818/week
$881
$19
Average $20/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $45,833 $3,819 $881 $22
Average $42,546 $3,545 $818 $20
25th Percentile $39,123 $3,260 $752 $19

Salaries of jobs related to Special Forces Operator

Salary Trends for Special Forces Operator

Salaries for a Special Forces Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,698 in 2023 to around $37,176 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Special Forces Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Special Forces Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,698
2024
$37,426
2025
$37,176
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,698
2024 $37,426
2025 $37,176
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Special Forces Operator

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401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Special Forces Operator

Here are companies hiring for Special Forces 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.)

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