Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in New Jersey

Heavy Equipment Operators in New Jersey have a median annual salary of $89,660, which works out to about $43.11 per hour, with a typical 25th–75th percentile range of $64,100 to $126,330, based on the latest BLS OEWS data.

47-2073 · Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in New Jersey at a glance

Median annual salary

$89,660

Median hourly wage

$43.11/hr

Average annual salary

$93,270

Average hourly wage

$44.84/hr

25th percentile

$64,100

75th percentile

$126,330

10th percentile

$50,760

90th percentile

$133,330

People employed

5,980

Salary distribution

Reported wage points from the lowest to the highest paid heavy equipment operator roles in New Jersey.

10th percentile
$50,760
25th percentile
$64,100
Median percentile
$89,660
75th percentile
$126,330
90th percentile
$133,330

New Jersey vs U.S. salary

The median salary for heavy equipment operator roles in New Jersey is about 49.8% above the U.S. median of $59,850 for the same occupation.

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How much does a heavy equipment operator make in New Jersey?

Half of heavy equipment operator roles in New Jersey report earning more than $89,660 a year and half report earning less — that is the median. The mean (average) of $93,270 is pulled up or down by the highest and lowest earners, which is why the median is usually the better benchmark.

Salary range

A quarter of reported salaries fall below $64,100 and a quarter are above $126,330, so most heavy equipment operator pay sits between those two figures. These percentiles describe how pay is spread across all reported roles — they are not a direct measure of years of experience.

What can affect heavy equipment operator pay?

  • Years of experience and level of responsibility
  • Employer type and size
  • Specialization within the occupation
  • Certifications and licensing
  • Industry
  • Hours worked, shift patterns and overtime
  • The local labor market where the job is based

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in other states

Related jobs in New Jersey

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Methodology · Data sources

Salary figures are benchmarks and can vary by employer, experience, specialization, hours worked and other factors.