Heavy equipment operator salary in Georgia
Median $23.02 an hour for 15,700 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
$23.02/hrMedian hourly wageGeorgia, May data
$47,880/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$18.18 – $30.2110th to 90th percentilehourly range
15,700Jobs countedemployer survey
Heavy equipment operator pay in Georgia: the full range
Georgia ranks 48th of 51 states for median heavy equipment operator pay, and 50th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $23.90). 15,700 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $18.18 – $20.03 | $37,810 – $41,670 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $20.03 – $27.38 | $41,670 – $56,940 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $27.38 – $30.21 | $56,940 – $62,840 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Heavy equipment operator pay by metro in Georgia
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $19.41 | $24.19 | $37.17 | 750 | 5% above |
| Atlanta | $19.04 | $23.77 | $31.10 | 8,360 | 3% above |
| Savannah | $18.37 | $23.47 | $34.09 | 720 | 2% above |
| Gainesville | $18.36 | $23.24 | $29.53 | 300 | 1% above |
| Augusta | $18.61 | $23.17 | $32.23 | 670 | 1% above |
| Warner Robins | $18.81 | $23.13 | $30.34 | 240 | about the same as |
| Hinesville | $17.64 | $22.84 | $35.72 | 60 | 1% below |
| Brunswick | $17.08 | $22.40 | $30.34 | 190 | 3% below |
| Columbus | $17.85 | $22.32 | $27.19 | 490 | 3% below |
| Macon | $18.51 | $22.26 | $27.98 | 310 | 3% below |
| Albany | $17.78 | $21.86 | $26.56 | 260 | 5% below |
| Athens | $16.27 | $21.30 | $26.77 | 230 | 7% below |
| Valdosta | $16.54 | $19.95 | $27.21 | 190 | 13% below |
| Dalton | $18.28 | $19.65 | $24.50 | 200 | 15% below |
| Rome | $15.55 | $17.50 | $27.39 | 150 | 24% below |
Heavy equipment operator wages in Georgia over time
Table
| Year | Georgia $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $12.16 | $23.50 | $15.31 | 10,440 |
| 2000 | $12.46 | $23.30 | $15.99 | 9,260 |
| 2001 | $12.46 | $22.65 | $16.42 | 10,590 |
| 2002 | $14.16 | $25.34 | $16.94 | 13,760 |
| 2003 | $14.59 | $25.53 | $16.84 | 14,990 |
| 2004 | $14.15 | $24.12 | $17.00 | 16,200 |
| 2005 | $13.82 | $22.78 | $17.23 | 15,880 |
| 2006 | $14.22 | $22.71 | $17.74 | 13,350 |
| 2007 | $14.25 | $22.13 | $18.33 | 13,380 |
| 2008 | $14.56 | $21.77 | $18.88 | 12,850 |
| 2009 | $14.70 | $22.06 | $19.12 | 12,060 |
| 2010 | $14.81 | $21.87 | $19.42 | 10,970 |
| 2011 | $15.18 | $21.73 | $19.96 | 9,540 |
| 2012 | $15.37 | $21.55 | $20.13 | 8,470 |
| 2013 | $15.48 | $21.39 | $20.45 | 7,950 |
| 2014 | $15.76 | $21.43 | $20.92 | 8,400 |
| 2015 | $15.85 | $21.53 | $21.44 | 9,170 |
| 2016 | $16.61 | $22.28 | $22.06 | 9,960 |
| 2017 | $16.97 | $22.29 | $22.61 | 10,790 |
| 2018 | $17.36 | $22.26 | $22.98 | 11,360 |
| 2019 | $17.80 | $22.42 | $23.55 | 12,930 |
| 2020 | $18.13 | $22.55 | $23.93 | 13,580 |
| 2021 | $18.20 | $21.62 | $23.25 | 12,340 |
| 2022 | $19.29 | $21.22 | $24.73 | 11,680 |
| 2023 | $21.57 | $22.79 | $27.00 | 13,060 |
| 2024 | $22.30 | $22.89 | $28.23 | 15,720 |
| 2025 | $23.02 | $23.02 | $28.78 | 15,700 |
In today's dollars, the median heavy equipment operator wage in Georgia changed by +6.9% over the last ten years of data.
Union scale and prevailing wage for heavy equipment operators in Georgia
On federally funded construction in Georgia, contractors must pay heavy equipment operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 39 of the 159 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $41.77 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $15.75). 85 of the 159 counties still use a survey rate dated 2012 or earlier (for example Appling County at $15.75). The market median for the state is $23.02.
Union contract rateSurvey rate
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burke | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260318 |
| Clarke | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260321 |
| Columbia | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260318 |
| Lincoln | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260318 |
| McDuffie | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260318 |
| Madison | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260321 |
| Oconee | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260321 |
| Oglethorpe | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260321 |
| Richmond | Union ENGI0474-005 2024-07-01 | $33.00 | $17.70 | $50.70 | GA20260311 |
| Barrow | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Bartow | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260302 |
| Butts | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Carroll | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Cherokee | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Clayton | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260303 |
| Cobb | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260304 |
| Coweta | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Dawson | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| DeKalb | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260305 |
| Douglas | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Fayette | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Forsyth | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Fulton | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260307 |
| Gwinnett | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260308 |
| Hall | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260309 |
| Haralson | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Heard | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Henry | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Jasper | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Lamar | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Meriwether | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Morgan | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Newton | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Paulding | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Pickens | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Pike | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Rockdale | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Spalding | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Walton | Union ENGI0926-004 2025-08-01 | $28.32 | $13.45 | $41.77 | GA20260313 |
| Brantley | Survey SUGA2017-030 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260315 |
| Bryan | Survey SUGA2017-032 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260317 |
| Catoosa | Survey SUGA2017-034 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260319 |
| Chatham | Survey SUGA2017-032 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260317 |
| Dade | Survey SUGA2017-034 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260319 |
| Effingham | Survey SUGA2017-032 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260317 |
| Floyd | Survey SUGA2017-021 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260306 |
| Glynn | Survey SUGA2017-030 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260315 |
| Liberty | Survey SUGA2017-038 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260323 |
| Long | Survey SUGA2017-038 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260323 |
| McIntosh | Survey SUGA2017-030 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260315 |
| Murray | Survey SUGA2017-039 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260324 |
| Walker | Survey SUGA2017-034 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260319 |
| Whitfield | Survey SUGA2017-039 2021-04-15 | $19.78 | $10.28 | $30.06 | GA20260324 |
| Baldwin | Survey SUGA2012-001 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260084 |
| Bleckley | Survey SUGA2012-003 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260086 |
| Crisp | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Dodge | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Dooly | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Laurens | Survey SUGA2012-013 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260095 |
| Macon | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Putnam | Survey SUGA2012-016 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260098 |
| Schley | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Stewart | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Sumter | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Talbot | Survey SUGA2012-018 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260100 |
| Taylor | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Troup | Survey SUGA2012-021 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260103 |
| Upson | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Webster | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Wilcox | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Wilkinson | Survey SUGA2012-025 2012-08-11 | $15.50 | $0.65 | $16.15 | GA20260106 |
| Appling | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Atkinson | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Bacon | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Ben Hill | Survey SUGA2012-002 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260085 |
| Berrien | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Calhoun | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Camden | Survey SUGA2012-004 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260087 |
| Charlton | Survey SUGA2012-005 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260088 |
| Clay | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Clinch | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Coffee | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Colquitt | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Cook | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Decatur | Survey SUGA2012-007 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260089 |
| Early | Survey SUGA2012-008 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260090 |
| Grady | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Irwin | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Jeff Davis | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Miller | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Mitchell | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Pierce | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Quitman | Survey SUGA2012-017 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260099 |
| Randolph | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Seminole | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Telfair | Survey SUGA2012-019 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260101 |
| Thomas | Survey SUGA2012-114 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260166 |
| Tift | Survey SUGA2012-020 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260102 |
| Turner | Survey SUGA2012-027 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260108 |
| Ware | Survey SUGA2012-027 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260108 |
| Wayne | Survey SUGA2012-027 2012-08-11 | $15.00 | $0.75 | $15.75 | GA20260108 |
| Baker | Survey SUGA2017-027 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260312 |
| Bibb | Survey SUGA2017-029 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260314 |
| Brooks | Survey SUGA2017-031 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260316 |
| Chattahoochee | Survey SUGA2017-035 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260320 |
| Crawford | Survey SUGA2017-029 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260314 |
| Dougherty | Survey SUGA2017-027 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260312 |
| Echols | Survey SUGA2017-031 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260316 |
| Harris | Survey SUGA2017-035 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260320 |
| Houston | Survey SUGA2017-037 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260322 |
| Jones | Survey SUGA2017-029 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260314 |
| Lanier | Survey SUGA2017-031 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260316 |
| Lee | Survey SUGA2017-027 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260312 |
| Lowndes | Survey SUGA2017-031 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260316 |
| Marion | Survey SUGA2017-035 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260320 |
| Monroe | Survey SUGA2017-029 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260314 |
| Muscogee | Survey SUGA2017-025 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260310 |
| Peach | Survey SUGA2017-037 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260322 |
| Pulaski | Survey SUGA2017-037 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260322 |
| Terrell | Survey SUGA2017-027 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260312 |
| Twiggs | Survey SUGA2017-029 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260314 |
| Worth | Survey SUGA2017-027 2021-04-15 | $14.24 | $0.00 | $14.24 | GA20260312 |
| Banks | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Bulloch | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Candler | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Chattooga | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Elbert | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Emanuel | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Evans | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Fannin | Survey SUGA2012-026 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260107 |
| Franklin | Survey SUGA2012-026 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260107 |
| Gilmer | Survey SUGA2012-026 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260107 |
| Glascock | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Gordon | Survey SUGA2012-009 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260091 |
| Greene | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Habersham | Survey SUGA2012-010 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260092 |
| Hancock | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Hart | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Jackson | Survey SUGA2012-011 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260093 |
| Jefferson | Survey SUGA2012-012 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260094 |
| Jenkins | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Johnson | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Lumpkin | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Montgomery | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Polk | Survey SUGA2012-015 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260097 |
| Rabun | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Screven | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Stephens | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Taliaferro | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Tattnall | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Toombs | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Towns | Survey SUGA2012-023 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260104 |
| Treutlen | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Union | Survey SUGA2012-026 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260107 |
| Warren | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Washington | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| Wheeler | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
| White | Survey SUGA2012-026 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260107 |
| Wilkes | Survey SUGA2012-024 2012-08-11 | $14.00 | $0.00 | $14.00 | GA20260105 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Georgia prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Georgia?
233.3kConstruction jobsGeorgia, 2026-08
-1.8%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Contractor pay by county
Average pay at specialty trade contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just heavy equipment operators), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
| County | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockdale County | 2,310 | $96,652 | $1,859 |
| Cobb County | 21,265 | $92,633 | $1,781 |
| Fulton County | 11,203 | $91,591 | $1,761 |
| Jackson County | 1,137 | $88,899 | $1,710 |
| Carroll County | 2,476 | $88,363 | $1,699 |
| DeKalb County | 6,686 | $88,283 | $1,698 |
| Wilkes County | 388 | $88,204 | $1,696 |
| Forsyth County | 5,666 | $87,501 | $1,683 |
| Clayton County | 2,232 | $86,869 | $1,671 |
| Gwinnett County | 18,291 | $84,502 | $1,625 |
| Troup County | 1,138 | $83,713 | $1,610 |
| Heard County | 134 | $80,120 | $1,541 |
| Douglas County | 2,071 | $78,133 | $1,503 |
| Fayette County | 1,882 | $78,034 | $1,501 |
| Barrow County | 1,360 | $77,024 | $1,481 |
| Upson County | 168 | $76,384 | $1,469 |
| Cherokee County | 4,361 | $76,340 | $1,468 |
| Bibb County | 1,614 | $76,264 | $1,467 |
| Newton County | 1,635 | $75,323 | $1,449 |
| Bartow County | 1,704 | $74,186 | $1,427 |
| Crisp County | 281 | $73,617 | $1,416 |
| Chatham County | 4,593 | $73,288 | $1,409 |
| Hall County | 3,293 | $72,241 | $1,389 |
| Meriwether County | 594 | $72,008 | $1,385 |
| Polk County | 394 | $71,854 | $1,382 |
| Lumpkin County | 403 | $71,457 | $1,374 |
| Clarke County | 1,236 | $70,423 | $1,354 |
| Evans County | 167 | $70,418 | $1,354 |
| Lamar County | 156 | $70,382 | $1,353 |
| Peach County | 463 | $70,131 | $1,349 |
| Walton County | 1,997 | $69,917 | $1,345 |
| Henry County | 1,422 | $69,545 | $1,337 |
| Dougherty County | 977 | $69,411 | $1,335 |
| Spalding County | 491 | $69,313 | $1,333 |
| Early County | 72 | $69,249 | $1,332 |
| Telfair County | 44 | $69,144 | $1,330 |
| Butts County | 377 | $69,074 | $1,328 |
| Terrell County | 60 | $69,009 | $1,327 |
| Bryan County | 583 | $67,517 | $1,298 |
| Haralson County | 447 | $67,502 | $1,298 |
| Coweta County | 1,373 | $67,235 | $1,293 |
| Jones County | 290 | $66,951 | $1,288 |
| Greene County | 229 | $66,808 | $1,285 |
| Pike County | 627 | $66,644 | $1,282 |
| Washington County | 327 | $66,392 | $1,277 |
| Morgan County | 320 | $66,145 | $1,272 |
| Oconee County | 511 | $66,112 | $1,271 |
| Paulding County | 2,089 | $66,020 | $1,270 |
| Dawson County | 362 | $65,895 | $1,267 |
| Walker County | 444 | $65,732 | $1,264 |
| Lowndes County | 1,980 | $65,539 | $1,260 |
| Ben Hill County | 58 | $64,896 | $1,248 |
| Berrien County | 91 | $64,658 | $1,243 |
| Taylor County | 74 | $64,593 | $1,242 |
| Pickens County | 537 | $64,443 | $1,239 |
| Jenkins County | 16 | $63,719 | $1,225 |
| Baldwin County | 220 | $63,396 | $1,219 |
| Camden County | 336 | $63,249 | $1,216 |
| Effingham County | 781 | $62,970 | $1,211 |
| Schley County | 28 | $62,665 | $1,205 |
| Bulloch County | 808 | $62,580 | $1,203 |
| Whitfield County | 967 | $62,217 | $1,196 |
| Oglethorpe County | 209 | $61,982 | $1,192 |
| Lincoln County | 93 | $61,654 | $1,186 |
| Dodge County | 190 | $61,232 | $1,178 |
| Columbia County | 2,070 | $60,788 | $1,169 |
| Gilmer County | 246 | $60,311 | $1,160 |
| Fannin County | 284 | $60,105 | $1,156 |
| White County | 459 | $60,085 | $1,155 |
| Cook County | 268 | $60,022 | $1,154 |
| Richmond County | 1,779 | $59,719 | $1,148 |
| Wayne County | 610 | $59,695 | $1,148 |
| Muscogee County | 1,869 | $59,552 | $1,145 |
| Burke County | 140 | $59,466 | $1,144 |
| Lee County | 650 | $59,124 | $1,137 |
| Laurens County | 532 | $59,059 | $1,136 |
| Hart County | 290 | $58,723 | $1,129 |
| Gordon County | 428 | $58,358 | $1,122 |
| Floyd County | 630 | $58,305 | $1,121 |
| Banks County | 158 | $58,226 | $1,120 |
| Franklin County | 258 | $58,058 | $1,116 |
| Catoosa County | 634 | $58,055 | $1,116 |
| Monroe County | 506 | $58,046 | $1,116 |
| Houston County | 1,125 | $58,024 | $1,116 |
| McDuffie County | 231 | $57,106 | $1,098 |
| Madison County | 359 | $57,003 | $1,096 |
| Glynn County | 945 | $56,970 | $1,096 |
| Putnam County | 369 | $56,731 | $1,091 |
| Grady County | 230 | $56,313 | $1,083 |
| Tift County | 230 | $56,241 | $1,082 |
| Decatur County | 270 | $56,181 | $1,080 |
| Jefferson County | 170 | $55,677 | $1,071 |
| Habersham County | 289 | $55,349 | $1,064 |
| Thomas County | 426 | $55,223 | $1,062 |
| Brooks County | 70 | $55,104 | $1,060 |
| Appling County | 330 | $54,394 | $1,046 |
| Chattooga County | 190 | $54,097 | $1,040 |
| Pulaski County | 78 | $54,007 | $1,039 |
| Brantley County | 178 | $53,721 | $1,033 |
| Mitchell County | 116 | $53,437 | $1,028 |
| Crawford County | 78 | $53,046 | $1,020 |
| Jasper County | 116 | $52,894 | $1,017 |
| Harris County | 408 | $52,893 | $1,017 |
| Stephens County | 178 | $52,284 | $1,005 |
| Rabun County | 319 | $52,277 | $1,005 |
| Charlton County | 56 | $52,241 | $1,005 |
| Candler County | 153 | $51,698 | $994 |
| Towns County | 130 | $51,246 | $985 |
| Coffee County | 434 | $51,215 | $985 |
| Tattnall County | 186 | $51,151 | $984 |
| Sumter County | 195 | $50,765 | $976 |
| Emanuel County | 166 | $50,629 | $974 |
| Liberty County | 193 | $49,567 | $953 |
| Screven County | 158 | $49,216 | $946 |
| Ware County | 284 | $48,748 | $937 |
| Union County | 198 | $47,773 | $919 |
| Toombs County | 127 | $47,439 | $912 |
| Lanier County | 45 | $47,257 | $909 |
| Bleckley County | 45 | $46,249 | $889 |
| Elbert County | 113 | $45,593 | $877 |
| Worth County | 91 | $44,645 | $859 |
| Bacon County | 14 | $43,935 | $845 |
| Dade County | 115 | $43,895 | $844 |
| Randolph County | 13 | $43,719 | $841 |
| Pierce County | 266 | $43,309 | $833 |
| Murray County | 124 | $42,724 | $822 |
| Colquitt County | 270 | $42,680 | $821 |
| Talbot County | 124 | $42,222 | $812 |
| McIntosh County | 114 | $41,663 | $801 |
| Long County | 81 | $33,303 | $640 |
| Atkinson County | — | — | — |
| Calhoun County | — | — | — |
| Chattahoochee County | — | — | — |
| Clay County | — | — | — |
| Clinch County | — | — | — |
| Dooly County | — | — | — |
| Echols County | — | — | — |
| Glascock County | — | — | — |
| Hancock County | — | — | — |
| Irwin County | — | — | — |
| Jeff Davis County | — | — | — |
| Johnson County | — | — | — |
| Macon County | — | — | — |
| Marion County | — | — | — |
| Miller County | — | — | — |
| Montgomery County | — | — | — |
| Seminole County | — | — | — |
| Stewart County | — | — | — |
| Treutlen County | — | — | — |
| Turner County | — | — | — |
| Twiggs County | — | — | — |
| Warren County | — | — | — |
| Wheeler County | — | — | — |
| Wilcox County | — | — | — |
| Wilkinson County | — | — | — |
Keep comparing
Heavy equipment operator pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Georgia
Questions this page answers
How much do heavy equipment operators make in Georgia?
The median heavy equipment operator in Georgia earned $23.02 an hour ($47,880 a year) in May 2025, 20% below the national median of $28.78. The middle half earn $20.03–$27.38; the top 10% earn more than $30.21.
Where does Georgia rank for heavy equipment operator pay?
Georgia ranks 48th of 51 states for heavy equipment operator pay, with a median of $23.02 an hour, and 50th after adjusting for Georgia's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.3, US = 100).
What is the union heavy equipment operator rate in Georgia?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for heavy equipment operators in 39 counties, with a typical package of $41.77 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many heavy equipment operators work in Georgia?
BLS counted 15,700 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Georgia in May 2025, 3.2 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.04; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Georgia and metro areas, SOC 47-2073.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.