Skilled Wages

Heavy equipment operator salary in Idaho

Median $29.66 an hour for 4,270 heavy equipment operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$29.66/hrMedian hourly wageIdaho, May data
$61,680/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$22.71 – $38.2910th to 90th percentilehourly range
4,270Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

Heavy equipment operator pay in Idaho: the full range

Wage percentiles, IdahoMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrIdaho: 10th $22.71 · 25th $25.28 · median $29.66 · 75th $36.25 · 90th $38.29Idaho$29.66$22.71$38.29United States: 10th $20.28 · 25th $23.40 · median $28.78 · 75th $37.10 · 90th $48.60United States$28.78
Hourly wage percentiles for heavy equipment operators: Idaho vs United States, May 2025.

Idaho ranks 23rd of 51 states for median heavy equipment operator pay, and 25th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $31.06). 4,270 heavy equipment operators work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.7× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$22.71 – $25.28$47,230 – $52,590roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$25.28 – $36.25$52,590 – $75,390the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$36.25 – $38.29$75,390 – $79,650the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Heavy equipment operator pay by metro in Idaho

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30$40/hrCoeur d'Alene: $31.03Coeur d'Alene$31.03Idaho Falls: $30.73Idaho Falls$30.73Lewiston: $29.47Lewiston$29.47Boise: $29.29Boise$29.29Pocatello: $28.48Pocatello$28.48Logan: $27.39Logan$27.39Twin Falls: $25.04Twin Falls$25.04
Median hourly wage for heavy equipment operators by metro area in Idaho, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Coeur d'Alene$23.87$31.03$31.57$38.754505% above
Idaho Falls$22.78$30.73$32.55$47.194704% above
Lewiston$23.28$29.47$32.31$37.921001% below
Boise$23.80$29.29$29.77$37.821,7301% below
Pocatello$21.58$28.48$32.04$37.771904% below
Logan$21.62$27.39$28.56$35.351808% below
Twin Falls$20.81$25.04$27.19$36.0415016% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

Heavy equipment operator wages in Idaho over time

Idaho, 1999-2025IdahoUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$29.66Idaho$28.78United States
Median hourly wage for heavy equipment operators, Idaho vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearIdaho $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$15.39$29.74$15.311,150
2000$13.50$25.24$15.991,570
2001$15.68$28.50$16.421,800
2002$15.84$28.35$16.941,900
2003$16.01$28.01$16.842,200
2004$16.57$28.24$17.002,200
2005$15.89$26.19$17.232,060
2006$16.76$26.76$17.742,110
2007$17.15$26.63$18.332,350
2008$17.94$26.83$18.882,250
2009$17.93$26.91$19.122,050
2010$18.23$26.92$19.421,900
2011$19.01$27.21$19.961,970
2012$19.62$27.51$20.131,890
2013$20.89$28.87$20.451,970
2014$20.45$27.81$20.922,190
2015$19.57$26.58$21.442,570
2016$19.59$26.28$22.062,590
2017$20.88$27.42$22.612,840
2018$21.90$28.08$22.982,810
2019$22.21$27.97$23.553,120
2020$22.60$28.11$23.933,260
2021$22.83$27.12$23.254,170
2022$23.90$26.29$24.733,900
2023$26.73$28.24$27.003,990
2024$28.43$29.18$28.234,090
2025$29.66$29.66$28.784,270

In today's dollars, the median heavy equipment operator wage in Idaho changed by +11.6% over the last ten years of data and by +6.0% since 2019.

Are there more heavy equipment operator jobs in Idaho?

+36.9%Jobs since 20193,120 then, 4,270 in 2025
+66.1%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
5.0Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.6× the US share, 7th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of heavy equipment operators counted in Idaho has changed by +271.3%, against +47.4% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +36.9%.

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Idaho vs United States, 1999 = 100IdahoUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages0100200300400200020052010201520202025371Idaho147United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Idaho vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearIdaho jobsIdaho indexUS index
19991,150100100
20001,570136103
20011,800156109
20021,900165106
20032,200191106
20042,200191110
20052,060179117
20062,110184121
20072,350204124
20082,250196123
20092,050178114
20101,900165103
20111,970171103
20121,890164103
20131,970171105
20142,190190106
20152,570224110
20162,590225110
20172,840247113
20182,810244118
20193,120271125
20203,260284124
20214,170363125
20223,900339130
20233,990347139
20244,090356145
20254,270371147

Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.

Outlook for heavy equipment operators in Idaho

+14.9%Projected growth in Idaho2024–2034, state agency
580Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
5,680Jobs in 20246,520 projected for 2034
+4.6%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Idaho's labor market agency projects the number of heavy equipment operators in the state to change by +14.9% between 2024 and 2034, from 5,680 to 6,520, with about 580 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +4.6% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 4,270 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Idaho labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for heavy equipment operators in Idaho

On federally funded construction in Idaho, contractors must pay heavy equipment operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 10 of the 43 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $52.91 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $25.17). 21 of the 43 counties still use a survey rate dated 2012 or earlier (for example Adams County at $25.17). The market median for the state is $29.66.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, IDAda: $27.93 (survey)Adams: $25.17 (survey)Bannock: $39.31 (survey)Bear Lake: $52.91 (union)Benewah: n/aBingham: $52.91 (union)Blaine: $23.38 (survey)Boise: $27.93 (survey)Bonner: $25.17 (survey)Bonneville: $39.31 (survey)Boundary: $25.17 (survey)Butte: $39.31 (survey)Camas: $23.38 (survey)Canyon: $27.93 (survey)Caribou: $52.91 (union)Cassia: $23.38 (survey)Clark: $52.91 (union)Clearwater: $25.17 (survey)Custer: $52.91 (union)Elmore: $25.17 (survey)Franklin: $39.31 (survey)Fremont: $52.91 (union)Gem: $27.93 (survey)Gooding: $23.38 (survey)Idaho: $25.17 (survey)Jefferson: $39.31 (survey)Jerome: $23.38 (survey)Kootenai: $39.31 (survey)Latah: $25.17 (survey)Lemhi: $52.91 (union)Lewis: $25.17 (survey)Lincoln: $23.38 (survey)Madison: $52.91 (union)Minidoka: $23.38 (survey)Nez Perce: $39.31 (survey)Oneida: $52.91 (union)Owyhee: $27.93 (survey)Payette: $25.17 (survey)Power: $22.23 (survey)Shoshone: $25.17 (survey)Teton: $52.91 (union)Twin Falls: $23.38 (survey)Valley: $25.17 (survey)Washington: $25.17 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$24.10$25.17$30.21n/asurvey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for heavy equipment operators by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (survey)$20$25$30$35$40$45/hrFranklin (Logan): market median $27.39, prevailing (survey) $39.31, gap +$11.92Franklin (Logan)+$11.92Bannock (Pocatello): market median $28.48, prevailing (survey) $39.31, gap +$10.83Bannock (Pocatello)+$10.83Nez Perce (Lewiston): market median $29.47, prevailing (survey) $39.31, gap +$9.84Nez Perce (Lewiston)+$9.84Bonneville (Idaho Falls): market median $30.73, prevailing (survey) $39.31, gap +$8.58Bonneville (Idaho Falls)+$8.58Kootenai (Coeur d'Alene): market median $31.03, prevailing (survey) $39.31, gap +$8.28Kootenai (Coeur d'Alene)+$8.28Ada (Boise): market median $29.29, prevailing (survey) $27.93, gap −$1.36Ada (Boise)−$1.36Jerome (Twin Falls): market median $25.04, prevailing (survey) $23.38, gap −$1.66Jerome (Twin Falls)−$1.66
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for heavy equipment operators, metro counties in Idaho.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
Bear LakeUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260021
BinghamUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260021
CaribouUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260013
ClarkUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260023
CusterUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260023
FremontUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260021
LemhiUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260021
MadisonUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260016
OneidaUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260021
TetonUnion ENGI0302-033 2025-01-01$36.81$16.10$52.91ID20260021
BannockSurvey SUID2021-006 2023-04-27$28.92$10.39$39.31ID20260105
BonnevilleSurvey SUID2021-001 2023-04-27$28.92$10.39$39.31ID20260100
ButteSurvey SUID2021-002 2023-04-27$28.92$10.39$39.31ID20260101
FranklinSurvey SUID2021-006 2023-04-27$28.92$10.39$39.31ID20260105
JeffersonSurvey SUID2021-003 2023-04-27$28.92$10.39$39.31ID20260102

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Idaho prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Idaho?

78.0kConstruction jobsIdaho, 2026-09
+1.7%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-20260k20k40k60k80k100k1990199520002005201020152020202578kSep 2026
Construction employment in Idaho (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

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. Across the 36 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 22,844 in 2015 to 45,763 in 2025, +100.3%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Ada County1,63414,647$76,455$1,470
Franklin County64249$72,834$1,401
Butte County843$70,911$1,364
Nez Perce County96724$70,436$1,355
Shoshone County37130$67,238$1,293
Minidoka County59399$66,326$1,275
Bannock County2742,005$63,744$1,226
Jerome County94480$63,301$1,217
Kootenai County1,0064,664$63,054$1,213
Blaine County2641,619$62,835$1,208
Teton County100516$62,544$1,203
Twin Falls County3241,539$62,244$1,197

Keep comparing

Heavy equipment operator pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Idaho

More on Idaho

Questions this page answers

How much do heavy equipment operators make in Idaho?

The median heavy equipment operator in Idaho earned $29.66 an hour ($61,680 a year) in May 2025, 3% above the national median of $28.78. The middle half earn $25.28–$36.25; the top 10% earn more than $38.29.

Where does Idaho rank for heavy equipment operator pay?

Idaho ranks 23rd of 51 states for heavy equipment operator pay, with a median of $29.66 an hour, and 25th after adjusting for Idaho's cost of living (BEA price parity 95.5, US = 100).

What is the union heavy equipment operator rate in Idaho?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for heavy equipment operators in 10 counties, with a typical package of $52.91 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many heavy equipment operators work in Idaho?

BLS counted 4,270 heavy equipment operators in Idaho in May 2025, 5.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.62; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is heavy equipment operator work growing in Idaho?

The BLS employer survey count of heavy equipment operators in Idaho went from 2,570 in 2015 to 4,270 in 2025, +66.1%, and +36.9% since 2019. Idaho's labor market agency projects +14.9% growth for heavy equipment operators between 2024 and 2034, from 5,680 to 6,520 jobs.

How many heavy equipment operator openings a year are there in Idaho?

Idaho projects about 580 openings a year for heavy equipment operators over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 39,200 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Idaho and metro areas, SOC 47-2073. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: Idaho labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.