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

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in Virginia

Median Annual in Virginia
$57,160/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$27.48/hr
▼ 4% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Virginia

groups Employed in VA
12,100
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$56,536 #41 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in Virginia, explained

Heavy equipment operators in Virginia earn a median of $57,160 per year ($27.48 per hour), which is 4% below the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $40,870, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $78,250. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Virginia.

Is $57,160 good pay in Virginia?

Adjusted for Virginia's cost of living (which runs 101% of the U.S. average), that $57,160 is worth about $56,536 in national buying power — ranking Virginia #41 for real pay (vs #36 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in Virginia

Entry level (10th pct)
$40,870
$19.65/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$57,160
$27.48/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$78,250
$37.62/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs VA
Virginia (here) $57,160 $56,536
District of Columbia $74,610 $67,888 −$17,450
Maryland $61,410 $58,509 −$4,250
Kentucky $57,780 $64,087 −$620
Tennessee $52,000 $56,602 +$5,160
West Virginia $51,300 $57,320 +$5,860
North Carolina $49,310 $52,276 +$7,850

Heavy Equipment Operator in Virginia: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in Virginia?

Heavy equipment operators in Virginia earn a median of $57,160 per year ($27.48 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does Virginia pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $57,160, Virginia pays 4% below the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 12,100 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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