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

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in North Dakota

Median Annual in North Dakota
$62,150/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$29.88/hr
▲ 4% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in North Dakota

groups Employed in ND
4,890
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$69,864 #16 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in North Dakota, explained

Heavy equipment operators in North Dakota earn a median of $62,150 per year ($29.88 per hour), which is 4% above the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $49,840, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $100,570. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within North Dakota.

Is $62,150 good pay in North Dakota?

Adjusted for North Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $62,150 is worth about $69,864 in national buying power — ranking North Dakota #16 for real pay (vs #22 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in North Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$49,840
$23.96/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$62,150
$29.88/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$100,570
$48.35/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs ND
North Dakota (here) $62,150 $69,864
Minnesota $79,130 $80,236 −$16,980
Montana $61,580 $65,064 +$570
South Dakota $59,500 $67,166 +$2,650

Heavy Equipment Operator in North Dakota: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in North Dakota?

Heavy equipment operators in North Dakota earn a median of $62,150 per year ($29.88 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does North Dakota pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $62,150, North Dakota pays 4% above the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 4,890 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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