Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in Detroit, MI
Updated
The median heavy equipment operator in the Detroit area earns $68,130 a year ($32.75 an hour), 14% above the U.S. median ($59,850) and 9% above the Michigan median ($62,690). Half of the 3,790 heavy equipment operators there earn between $54,820 and $80,810.
| Annual pay | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,300 | $46,370 | $42,190 |
| 25th percentile | $54,820 | $54,710 | $48,680 |
| Median | $68,130 | $62,690 | $59,850 |
| 75th percentile | $80,810 | $78,410 | $77,170 |
| 90th percentile | $93,920 | $90,580 | $101,090 |
| Average | $69,390 | $66,920 | $66,290 |
| Jobs | 3,790 | 9,500 | 478,090 |
Detroit, MI ranks 21st of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for heavy equipment operator pay. Highest: San Francisco, CA ($124,750).
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Check my payHeavy equipment operator pay in other cities
- Grand Rapids, MI: $63,850
- San Francisco, CA: $124,750
- San Jose, CA: $124,340
- Chicago, IL: $103,100
- Seattle, WA: $95,750
- New York, NY: $95,050
- Los Angeles, CA: $92,890
- Sacramento, CA: $91,650
- All cities
Similar jobs in Detroit, MI
- Construction Laborer: $57,430
- Electrician: $81,990
- Carpenter: $65,810
- Plumber: $86,370
- Construction Supervisor: $80,610
- All jobs in Detroit, MI
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.