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

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in New Jersey

Median Annual in New Jersey
$89,660/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$43.11/hr
▲ 50% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in New Jersey

groups Employed in NJ
5,980
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$82,404 #4 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in New Jersey, explained

Heavy equipment operators in New Jersey earn a median of $89,660 per year ($43.11 per hour), which is 50% above the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $50,760, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $133,330. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within New Jersey.

Is $89,660 good pay in New Jersey?

Adjusted for New Jersey's cost of living (which runs 109% of the U.S. average), that $89,660 is worth about $82,404 in national buying power — ranking New Jersey #4 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in New Jersey

Entry level (10th pct)
$50,760
$24.40/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$89,660
$43.11/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$133,330
$64.10/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NJ
New Jersey (here) $89,660 $82,404
New York $80,980 $75,036 +$8,680
Pennsylvania $60,530 $62,036 +$29,130
Delaware $58,020 $58,132 +$31,640

Heavy Equipment Operator in New Jersey: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in New Jersey?

Heavy equipment operators in New Jersey earn a median of $89,660 per year ($43.11 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does New Jersey pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $89,660, New Jersey pays 50% above the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 5,980 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in New Jersey