Across U.S. metros, heavy equipment operators typically earn $11,340 more a year than maintenance technicians (23%). In the 391 metros where BLS publishes both, heavy equipment operators earn more in 373 and maintenance technicians in 18.
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $59,670 | $48,330 |
| Lowest metro median | $27,770 | $22,040 |
| Highest metro median | $124,990 | $63,980 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +4.6% | +4.2% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 39,200 | 148,700 |
| Self-employed | 2% | 1% |
| Typical education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 78 | 212 |
| Metros with pay data | 391 | 393 |
On safety, maintenance technicians report more injuries that cause missed work (212 vs. 78 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where heavy equipment operators out-earn maintenance technicians the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where maintenance technicians out-earn heavy equipment operators the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, heavy equipment operators earn more in 51 states and maintenance technicians in 0. The gap favors heavy equipment operators most in Hawaii ($57,900) and heavy equipment operators most in Georgia ($200).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Indoors with heating and air conditioning: rarely for heavy equipment operators, often for maintenance technicians. Standing, bending, kneeling and walking: occasionally for heavy equipment operators, often for maintenance technicians.
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Rarely | Often |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Often | Often |
| Working at heights | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Rarely | Occasionally |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Occasionally | Often |
| Sitting | Sometimes | Occasionally |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Heavy Equipment Operator
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Maintenance Technician
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
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