Skilled Wages

Heavy equipment operator salary in Michigan

Median $30.14 an hour for 9,500 heavy equipment operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$30.14/hrMedian hourly wageMichigan, May data
$62,690/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$22.29 – $43.5510th to 90th percentilehourly range
9,500Jobs countedemployer survey

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

Heavy equipment operator pay in Michigan: the full range

Wage percentiles, MichiganMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrMichigan: 10th $22.29 · 25th $26.30 · median $30.14 · 75th $37.70 · 90th $43.55Michigan$30.14$22.29$43.55United 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: Michigan vs United States, May 2025.

Michigan ranks 19th of 51 states for median heavy equipment operator pay, and 22nd once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $31.33). 9,500 heavy equipment operators work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.0× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$22.29 – $26.30$46,370 – $54,710roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$26.30 – $37.70$54,710 – $78,410the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$37.70 – $43.55$78,410 – $90,580the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Heavy equipment operator pay by metro in Michigan

Ranked median wages$0$20$40$60/hrSouth Bend: $38.68South Bend$38.68Battle Creek: $37.51Battle Creek$37.51Bay City: $36.21Bay City$36.21Flint: $36.12Flint$36.12Detroit: $32.76Detroit$32.76Midland: $31.59Midland$31.59Grand Rapids: $30.70Grand Rapids$30.70Ann Arbor: $30.05Ann Arbor$30.05Kalamazoo: $29.68Kalamazoo$29.68Lansing: $29.52Lansing$29.52Traverse City: $29.42Traverse City$29.42Monroe: $29.29Monroe$29.29
Median hourly wage for heavy equipment operators by metro area in Michigan, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
South Bend$23.08$38.68$41.64$49.0536028% above
Battle Creek$27.34$37.51$41.45$37.5115024% above
Bay City$23.59$36.21$39.40$48.7314020% above
Flint$22.36$36.12$38.84$43.2824020% above
Detroit$23.22$32.76$32.66$45.163,7909% above
Midland$25.08$31.59$34.37$40.361205% above
Grand Rapids$22.62$30.70$32.15$40.809002% above
Ann Arbor$20.43$30.05$29.78$43.53170about the same as
Kalamazoo$21.14$29.68$31.31$43.751902% below
Lansing$19.56$29.52$31.07$43.814802% below
Traverse City$23.62$29.42$31.50$37.762802% below
Monroe$17.55$29.29$31.33$41.291403% below
Jackson$23.21$28.78$31.35$48.231605% below
Saginaw$22.65$28.76$31.64$46.581705% below
Niles$21.38$28.69$31.05$49.921305% below
Muskegon$23.08$28.68$31.01$40.751005% below

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

Heavy equipment operator wages in Michigan over time

Michigan, 1999-2025MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$30.14Michigan$28.78United States
Median hourly wage for heavy equipment operators, Michigan vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearMichigan $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$17.87$34.53$15.318,940
2000$18.95$35.43$15.999,750
2001$19.80$35.99$16.4211,690
2002$19.94$35.68$16.9410,610
2003$20.14$35.24$16.8410,130
2004$20.42$34.80$17.008,560
2005$20.46$33.73$17.238,460
2006$21.11$33.71$17.748,090
2007$21.18$32.89$18.338,360
2008$21.70$32.45$18.887,780
2009$20.93$31.41$19.127,520
2010$20.83$30.75$19.427,400
2011$20.83$29.81$19.967,960
2012$21.52$30.18$20.137,110
2013$21.25$29.37$20.456,550
2014$21.85$29.71$20.926,070
2015$22.23$30.20$21.446,450
2016$23.52$31.55$22.067,070
2017$23.62$31.02$22.617,260
2018$25.11$32.19$22.987,870
2019$25.62$32.26$23.558,300
2020$27.02$33.61$23.938,550
2021$28.51$33.87$23.2510,230
2022$28.71$31.58$24.7310,090
2023$28.61$30.23$27.009,970
2024$30.07$30.86$28.239,420
2025$30.14$30.14$28.789,500

In today's dollars, the median heavy equipment operator wage in Michigan changed by -0.2% over the last ten years of data and by -6.6% since 2019.

Are there more heavy equipment operator jobs in Michigan?

+14.5%Jobs since 20198,300 then, 9,500 in 2025
+47.3%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
2.2Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 0.7× the US share, 43rd of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of heavy equipment operators counted in Michigan has changed by +6.3%, against +47.4% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +14.5%.

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Michigan vs United States, 1999 = 100MichiganUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages5075100125150175200020052010201520202025147United States106Michigan
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Michigan vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearMichigan jobsMichigan indexUS index
19998,940100100
20009,750109103
200111,690131109
200210,610119106
200310,130113106
20048,56096110
20058,46095117
20068,09090121
20078,36094124
20087,78087123
20097,52084114
20107,40083103
20117,96089103
20127,11080103
20136,55073105
20146,07068106
20156,45072110
20167,07079110
20177,26081113
20187,87088118
20198,30093125
20208,55096124
202110,230114125
202210,090113130
20239,970112139
20249,420105145
20259,500106147

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 Michigan

+2.4%Projected growth in Michigan2024–2034, state agency
810Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
9,640Jobs in 20249,870 projected for 2034
+4.6%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Michigan's labor market agency projects the number of heavy equipment operators in the state to change by +2.4% between 2024 and 2034, from 9,640 to 9,870, with about 810 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +4.6% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 9,500 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Michigan 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 Michigan

On federally funded construction in Michigan, contractors must pay heavy equipment operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 62 of the 83 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $66.53 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $30.07). 21 of the 83 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Antrim County at $30.07). The market median for the state is $30.14.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, MIAlcona: $66.53 (union)Alger: $65.51 (union)Allegan: $66.53 (union)Alpena: $66.53 (union)Antrim: $30.07 (survey)Arenac: $66.53 (union)Baraga: $65.51 (union)Barry: $66.53 (union)Bay: $24.97 (survey)Benzie: $30.07 (survey)Berrien: $67.50 (union)Branch: $66.53 (union)Calhoun: $67.50 (union)Cass: $67.50 (union)Charlevoix: $30.07 (survey)Cheboygan: $66.53 (union)Chippewa: $65.51 (union)Clare: $66.53 (union)Clinton: $30.66 (survey)Crawford: $66.53 (union)Delta: $65.51 (union)Dickinson: $65.51 (union)Eaton: $30.66 (survey)Emmet: $30.07 (survey)Genesee: $66.53 (union)Gladwin: $20.22 (survey)Gogebic: $65.51 (union)Grand Traverse: $30.07 (survey)Gratiot: $66.53 (union)Hillsdale: $66.53 (union)Houghton: $65.51 (union)Huron: $66.53 (union)Ingham: $28.91 (survey)Ionia: $66.53 (union)Iosco: $15.00 (survey)Iron: $65.51 (union)Isabella: $27.30 (survey)Jackson: $66.53 (union)Kalamazoo: $67.50 (union)Kalkaska: $30.07 (survey)Kent: $29.33 (survey)Keweenaw: $65.51 (union)Lake: $66.53 (union)Lapeer: $66.53 (union)Leelanau: $30.07 (survey)Lenawee: $38.80 (survey)Livingston: $66.53 (union)Luce: $65.51 (union)Mackinac: $65.51 (union)Macomb: $70.69 (union)Manistee: $30.07 (survey)Marquette: $65.51 (union)Mason: $66.53 (union)Mecosta: $66.53 (union)Menominee: $65.51 (union)Midland: $66.53 (union)Missaukee: $66.53 (union)Monroe: $70.69 (union)Montcalm: $66.53 (union)Montmorency: $66.53 (union)Muskegon: $66.53 (union)Newaygo: $66.53 (union)Oakland: $70.69 (union)Oceana: $66.53 (union)Ogemaw: $66.53 (union)Ontonagon: $65.51 (union)Osceola: $66.53 (union)Oscoda: $66.53 (union)Otsego: $66.53 (union)Ottawa: $66.53 (union)Presque Isle: $66.53 (union)Roscommon: $66.53 (union)Saginaw: $32.15 (survey)St. Clair: $70.69 (union)St. Joseph: $66.53 (union)Sanilac: $34.93 (survey)Schoolcraft: $65.51 (union)Shiawassee: $66.53 (union)Tuscola: $16.10 (survey)Van Buren: $66.53 (union)Washtenaw: $70.69 (union)Wayne: $70.69 (union)Wexford: $30.07 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$30.66$65.51$66.53survey 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 (union)Prevailing (survey)$20$40$60$80/hrMonroe (Monroe): market median $29.29, prevailing (union) $70.69, gap +$41.40Monroe (Monroe)+$41.40Washtenaw (Ann Arbor): market median $30.05, prevailing (union) $70.69, gap +$40.64Washtenaw (Ann Arbor)+$40.64Berrien (Niles): market median $28.69, prevailing (union) $67.50, gap +$38.81Berrien (Niles)+$38.81Macomb (Detroit): market median $32.76, prevailing (union) $70.69, gap +$37.93Macomb (Detroit)+$37.93Muskegon (Muskegon): market median $28.68, prevailing (union) $66.53, gap +$37.85Muskegon (Muskegon)+$37.85Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo): market median $29.68, prevailing (union) $67.50, gap +$37.82Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo)+$37.82Jackson (Jackson): market median $28.78, prevailing (union) $66.53, gap +$37.75Jackson (Jackson)+$37.75Barry (Grand Rapids): market median $30.70, prevailing (union) $66.53, gap +$35.83Barry (Grand Rapids)+$35.83Midland (Midland): market median $31.59, prevailing (union) $66.53, gap +$34.94Midland (Midland)+$34.94Genesee (Flint): market median $36.12, prevailing (union) $66.53, gap +$30.41Genesee (Flint)+$30.41Calhoun (Battle Creek): market median $37.51, prevailing (union) $67.50, gap +$29.99Calhoun (Battle Creek)+$29.99Cass (South Bend): market median $38.68, prevailing (union) $67.50, gap +$28.82Cass (South Bend)+$28.82Saginaw (Saginaw): market median $28.76, prevailing (survey) $32.15, gap +$3.39Saginaw (Saginaw)+$3.39Clinton (Lansing): market median $29.52, prevailing (survey) $30.66, gap +$1.14Clinton (Lansing)+$1.14Benzie (Traverse City): market median $29.42, prevailing (survey) $30.07, gap +$0.65Benzie (Traverse City)+$0.65Bay (Bay City): market median $36.21, prevailing (survey) $24.97, gap −$11.24Bay (Bay City)−$11.24
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for heavy equipment operators, metro counties in Michigan.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
MacombUnion ENGI0324-017 2025-06-01$45.34$25.35$70.69MI20260091
MonroeUnion ENGI0324-017 2025-06-01$45.34$25.35$70.69MI20260092
OaklandUnion ENGI0324-017 2025-06-01$45.34$25.35$70.69MI20260095
St. ClairUnion ENGI0324-017 2025-06-01$45.34$25.35$70.69MI20260098
WashtenawUnion ENGI0324-017 2025-06-01$45.34$25.35$70.69MI20260100
WayneUnion ENGI0324-017 2025-06-01$45.34$25.35$70.69MI20260101
BerrienUnion ENGI0324-002 2024-06-01$42.25$25.25$67.50MI20260078
CalhounUnion ENGI0324-002 2024-06-01$42.25$25.25$67.50MI20260079
CassUnion ENGI0324-002 2024-06-01$42.25$25.25$67.50MI20260080
KalamazooUnion ENGI0324-002 2024-06-01$42.25$25.25$67.50MI20260087
AlconaUnion ENGI0324-020 2024-06-01$41.28$25.25$66.53MI20260102
AlleganUnion ENGI0324-027 2024-06-01$41.28$25.25$66.53MI20260104
AlpenaUnion ENGI0324-020 2024-06-01$41.28$25.25$66.53MI20260105
ArenacUnion ENGI0324-022 2024-06-01$41.28$25.25$66.53MI20260107
BarryUnion ENGI0324-034 2024-06-01$41.28$25.25$66.53MI20260076

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

Is construction work growing in Michigan?

209.1kConstruction jobsMichigan, 2026-09
-1.3%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-202650k100k150k200k250k19901995200020052010201520202025209kSep 2026
Construction employment in Michigan (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 73 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 96,108 in 2015 to 124,330 in 2025, +29.4%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Dickinson County44707$102,654$1,974
Kalkaska County30317$100,718$1,937
Oakland County1,77221,304$95,370$1,834
Monroe County1711,461$95,332$1,833
Wayne County1,43116,808$92,147$1,772
Genesee County4365,228$86,793$1,669
Muskegon County1821,898$84,641$1,628
Macomb County1,38012,658$84,297$1,621
Washtenaw County3683,154$84,026$1,616
Kent County97413,928$83,955$1,615
Kalamazoo County2884,400$82,733$1,591
Calhoun County1431,463$82,475$1,586

Keep comparing

Heavy equipment operator pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Michigan

More on Michigan

Questions this page answers

How much do heavy equipment operators make in Michigan?

The median heavy equipment operator in Michigan earned $30.14 an hour ($62,690 a year) in May 2025, 5% above the national median of $28.78. The middle half earn $26.30–$37.70; the top 10% earn more than $43.55.

Where does Michigan rank for heavy equipment operator pay?

Michigan ranks 19th of 51 states for heavy equipment operator pay, with a median of $30.14 an hour, and 22nd after adjusting for Michigan's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.2, US = 100).

What is the union heavy equipment operator rate in Michigan?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for heavy equipment operators in 62 counties, with a typical package of $66.53 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many heavy equipment operators work in Michigan?

BLS counted 9,500 heavy equipment operators in Michigan in May 2025, 2.2 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.70; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is heavy equipment operator work growing in Michigan?

The BLS employer survey count of heavy equipment operators in Michigan went from 6,450 in 2015 to 9,500 in 2025, +47.3%, and +14.5% since 2019. Michigan's labor market agency projects +2.4% growth for heavy equipment operators between 2024 and 2034, from 9,640 to 9,870 jobs.

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

Michigan projects about 810 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, Michigan 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: Michigan labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.