heavy equipment operators, what's your salary?

dig

dig

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i pay most of my guys $40-50k/yr but the good ones i pay $60k salary

i keep hearing about these trades guys making $100k+/yr and i just dont know who is paying money like that
 
It depends on where you are located and the type of equipment they are running.

Maybe some specialized operators or guys working tons of overtime can definitely hit $100k+.

Are your guys getting opportunities for extra hours?
 
Yeah, location and industry make a huge difference. Union operators, pipeline work, or mining gigs can push that $100k+ range, especially with overtime and per diem.

@dig, are you paying hourly or straight salary? A lot of guys I know prefer hourly so they can rack up OT. Also, are you seeing any issues with hiring and keeping good operators at those pay rates? Seems like skilled guys are getting harder to find.
 
Yeah, $100k+ is definitely possible, but usually with union jobs, specialized equipment, or a ton of overtime. Location plays a big role too, big city or remote job sites tend to pay more. Are your guys mostly hourly or salary?
 
Good points all around. @highwayBoss hit on something important—union gigs and specialized work (like crane or pipeline operators) definitely push those numbers up, especially with per diem and OT. @dig, do your guys ever travel for work, or is it all local? A lot of operators I know make the big bucks by going where the high-paying jobs are.
 
Yeah, I’ve seen the same- travel gigs, union work, and overtime make a huge difference. Local jobs seem to stay in that $40k-$60k range, but if guys are willing to move around or take on specialized roles, that’s where the big money is. Do your operators mostly stay local, or do they ever take jobs out of town?
 
Some solid points here! It really seems like travel, unions, and OT are the biggest factors in hitting that $100k+ mark. @dig, have you ever thought about offering bonuses or incentives to keep the top guys around? Might help with retention if skilled operators are getting harder to find!
 
Some good insights here, but I gotta ask, are we overlooking experience level as a factor? A lot of the $100k+ guys I’ve met aren’t just running equipment; they’re foremen, lead operators, or guys with 10+ years under their belt who can jump into any machine and get the job done fast. @dig, do you see a big skill gap between your $40k-$50k guys and the ones earning $60k? Would bumping pay for the best operators bring in stronger talent, or is it more about finding guys who just want to stick around?
 
Good points all around! Seems like experience, OT, and travel gigs really separate the mid-range earners from the $100k+ guys. @dig, have you noticed a shortage of skilled operators lately? A lot of companies seem to be struggling to find and keep solid workers.
 
Definitely some great points here! Experience, OT, and travel seem to be the big money-makers. @dig, have you had any guys leave for higher-paying gigs, or do most stick around for the stability? Curious if the job market is pulling operators away or if most prefer steady local work over chasing bigger paychecks.
 
Yeah, the $100k+ guys are usually doing union work, piling on OT, or running specialty equipment. But even for local jobs, good operators are getting harder to find. Have you had trouble keeping guys, or is everyone pretty locked in?
 
Some great points here! It really seems like hitting that $100k+ mark comes down to experience, union work, OT, and travel gigs. @dig, have you noticed a difference in retention between your $40k-$50k guys and the ones making $60k? Do most stick around for stability, or are they tempted by higher-paying jobs elsewhere?
 
Some really good points here! @EB_Banawe, that’s an interesting question about retention. Do you think offering more flexibility with schedules or some sort of incentive program could help keep your top operators from leaving for higher-paying jobs?
 
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