verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in Colorado

Median Annual in Colorado
$62,620/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$30.11/hr
▲ 5% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Colorado

groups Employed in CO
11,700
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$60,765 #30 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in Colorado, explained

Heavy equipment operators in Colorado earn a median of $62,620 per year ($30.11 per hour), which is 5% above the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $49,480, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $78,870. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Colorado.

Is $62,620 good pay in Colorado?

Adjusted for Colorado's cost of living (which runs 103% of the U.S. average), that $62,620 is worth about $60,765 in national buying power — ranking Colorado #30 for real pay (vs #20 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in Colorado

Entry level (10th pct)
$49,480
$23.79/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$62,620
$30.11/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$78,870
$37.92/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CO
Colorado (here) $62,620 $60,765
Wyoming $62,960 $67,925 −$340
Utah $60,740 $61,438 +$1,880
Nebraska $58,360 $64,770 +$4,260
New Mexico $52,000 $56,392 +$10,620
Kansas $51,620 $57,312 +$11,000
Oklahoma $47,970 $54,609 +$14,650

Heavy Equipment Operator in Colorado: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in Colorado?

Heavy equipment operators in Colorado earn a median of $62,620 per year ($30.11 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does Colorado pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $62,620, Colorado pays 5% above the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 11,700 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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