How much does an Operator make?

The national average salary for an Operator is $40,041 per year in United States. Filter by location to see an Operator salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 7108 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Operator employees.

The highest salary for an Operator in United States is $56,017 per year.

The lowest salary for an Operator in United States is $28,622 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Operator or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Operator.

Operators are paid salaries similar to that of other skilled workers including millwrights, welders, cutters, plumbers, tool makers, and medical equipment repairers. Operators who work in the manufacturing or construction sectors generally earn the highest pay. Operators’ pay generally raises with seniority and experience. Many manufacturing firms have two to three shifts varying between eight to twelve hours in length. This schedule allows them to produce around the clock. Operators can increase their pay by working multiple shifts.

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68% of operators feel good about their annual salaries, according to anonymous employee ratings. Professional training, industry knowledge and skill, and a respectable amount of experience all impact operator salary. Through bonuses and profit sharing, there's also the potential to earn an extra $2,335.83 annually.

Join thousands of real professionals anonymously talking about salaries in their industry

Operator salary generally lands between $29,974.96 and $60,300.60, with $40,043.42 being the average compensation for operators of all experience levels. Based on the [operator career path](https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/how-to-become-operator_KO14,22.htm), experience, location, and industry are often the biggest factors for salary. Once you've mastered in-demand skills and shown employers your value, you may be eligible to apply for senior-level operator roles.

Learn more about negotiating salaries from thousands of other real professionals

Your role, and therefore your salary as an operator, will vary widely based on the equipment you operate and the setting you work in. Rapid-paced outdoor lumber yards operate much differently than handling equipment in corporate or luxury settings, for example, but they feature more flexible scheduling and travel than 9 to 5 positions, which often pay more. Advance in the industry that interests you and matches your skill set, and grow from there. As a professional, you should stay up-to-date with technology and continuously improve your operating skills over time. Licenses, certifications, and a commercial driver's license (CDL) all impact the income you make in your chosen career path.

Operator roles have more to offer than salary. You can work signing and annual bonuses, as well as valuable perks, such as commuter benefits, car allowances, and vacation time, into the deal. You'll have more bargaining power with more experience in your chosen industry, but negotiating is also about what you're willing to put into the role. Whether you're responding to a job offer or are ready for a raise, ask what's required of you at this salary range and experience level, and how you can work for that higher operator pay. Taking on more or higher-level tasks and working in benefits can help both parties reach a great deal.