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

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in West Virginia

Median Annual in West Virginia
$51,300/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$24.66/hr
▼ 14% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in West Virginia

groups Employed in WV
7,830
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$57,320 #38 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in West Virginia, explained

Heavy equipment operators in West Virginia earn a median of $51,300 per year ($24.66 per hour), which is 14% below the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $36,500, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $76,970. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within West Virginia.

Is $51,300 good pay in West Virginia?

Adjusted for West Virginia's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $51,300 is worth about $57,320 in national buying power — ranking West Virginia #38 for real pay (vs #42 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in West Virginia

Entry level (10th pct)
$36,500
$17.55/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$51,300
$24.66/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$76,970
$37.00/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs WV
West Virginia (here) $51,300 $57,320
Ohio $64,940 $69,998 −$13,640
Maryland $61,410 $58,509 −$10,110
Pennsylvania $60,530 $62,036 −$9,230
Kentucky $57,780 $64,087 −$6,480
Virginia $57,160 $56,536 −$5,860

Heavy Equipment Operator in West Virginia: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in West Virginia?

Heavy equipment operators in West Virginia earn a median of $51,300 per year ($24.66 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does West Virginia pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $51,300, West Virginia pays 14% below the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 7,830 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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