Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Updated
The median heavy equipment operator in the Milwaukee area earns $79,430 a year ($38.19 an hour), 33% above the U.S. median ($59,850) and 6% above the Wisconsin median ($75,280). Half of the 2,070 heavy equipment operators there earn between $64,310 and $95,310.
| Annual pay | Milwaukee area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,390 | $51,370 | $42,190 |
| 25th percentile | $64,310 | $61,520 | $48,680 |
| Median | $79,430 | $75,280 | $59,850 |
| 75th percentile | $95,310 | $94,610 | $77,170 |
| 90th percentile | $100,860 | $100,140 | $101,090 |
| Average | $82,100 | $77,770 | $66,290 |
| Jobs | 2,070 | 8,140 | 478,090 |
Milwaukee, WI ranks 12th 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
- 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
- San Diego, CA: $83,670
- All cities
Similar jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Construction Laborer: $57,430
- Electrician: $77,800
- Carpenter: $63,910
- Plumber: $84,700
- Construction Supervisor: $91,760
- All jobs in Milwaukee, WI
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.