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Heavy Equipment Operator pay in District of Columbia

Statewide and by city · BLS, May 2025

$74,610statewide median a year
$35.87median an hour
#13of 50 states + DC
620heavy equipment operators employed statewide

Statewide pay Government data

Heavy equipment operators in District of Columbia earn a statewide median of $74,610 a year, 25% above the typical U.S. metro, ranking #13 of 50 states and DC. About 620 people work in the trade statewide.

Statewide pay range

$50,540Entry · 10th$65,45025th$74,610Median$86,28075th$98,270Top · 90th

States ranked near District of Columbia

Alaska$77,810
Massachusetts$76,820
Wisconsin$75,280
District of Columbia$74,610
Oregon$73,430
Nevada$71,410
Ohio$64,940

See all states on the heavy equipment operator overview.

Pay by city Government data

MetroMedian payReal payJobs
WashingtonDISTRICT OF COLUMBIA · DC$61,660$56,6296,450

Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate

The job (national)

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.

Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 4.6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 39,200 openings a year. Typical training: moderate-term on-the-job training.

Nationally, heavy equipment operators have 78 injuries or illnesses serious enough to miss work per 10,000 full-time workers, about the same as all jobs (87). The most common cause is being struck by or caught in objects and equipment.

What the work is like Government data

How often heavy equipment operators deal with each condition, from surveys of workers in the job.

Outdoors, in all kinds of weatherVery often
Indoors with heating and air conditioningRarely
Very hot or cold conditionsOften
Working at heightsOccasionally
Climbing ladders, scaffolds or polesRarely
Cramped spaces and awkward positionsOccasionally
Loud noiseOften
Hazardous conditionsOccasionally
Standing, bending, kneeling and walkingOccasionally
SittingSometimes

Getting started usually takes some preparation (high school plus months of training).

O*NET 31.0 Work Context and Job Zones (U.S. Department of Labor), national.

Licensing in District of Columbia Official source

The main state licensing office in District of Columbia is the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. It can point you to the right license for heavy equipment operators.

Official District of Columbia licensing site ↗

Requirements for heavy equipment operators vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.

Cities in District of Columbia

WashingtonDISTRICT OF COLUMBIA · DC+3.3%population since 2020 · 3.8% unemployment

All trades in District of Columbia.

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