Skilled Wages

Heavy equipment operator salary in Montana

Median $29.61 an hour for 3,750 heavy equipment operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$29.61/hrMedian hourly wageMontana, May data
$61,580/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$23.14 – $38.4110th to 90th percentilehourly range
3,750Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-06

Heavy equipment operator pay in Montana: the full range

Wage percentiles, MontanaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrMontana: 10th $23.14 · 25th $27.07 · median $29.61 · 75th $34.68 · 90th $38.41Montana$29.61$23.14$38.41United 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: Montana vs United States, May 2025.

Montana ranks 24th of 51 states for median heavy equipment operator pay, and 23rd once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $31.30). 3,750 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$23.14 – $27.07$48,130 – $56,310roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$27.07 – $34.68$56,310 – $72,130the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$34.68 – $38.41$72,130 – $79,880the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Heavy equipment operator pay by metro in Montana

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30$40/hrBozeman: $32.77Bozeman$32.77Missoula: $30.79Missoula$30.79Helena: $30.08Helena$30.08Great Falls: $29.85Great Falls$29.85Billings: $29.81Billings$29.81
Median hourly wage for heavy equipment operators by metro area in Montana, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Bozeman$26.05$32.77$31.97$40.7453011% above
Missoula$22.61$30.79$31.94$38.083104% above
Helena$22.85$30.08$31.43$38.602202% above
Great Falls$23.96$29.85$30.84$41.871701% above
Billings$23.98$29.81$31.88$38.145401% above

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

Heavy equipment operator wages in Montana over time

Montana, 1999-2025MontanaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$29.61Montana$28.78United States
Median hourly wage for heavy equipment operators, Montana vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearMontana $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$15.27$29.51$15.313,220
2000$14.99$28.03$15.991,910
2001$15.72$28.58$16.422,400
2002$16.26$29.10$16.942,090
2003$16.79$29.38$16.842,170
2004$17.02$29.01$17.002,550
2005$17.65$29.10$17.232,130
2006$18.67$29.81$17.742,160
2007$19.28$29.94$18.332,480
2008$19.66$29.40$18.882,770
2009$19.98$29.98$19.122,710
2010$19.82$29.26$19.422,530
2011$20.50$29.34$19.962,660
2012$21.40$30.01$20.133,310
2013$21.68$29.96$20.453,510
2014$21.80$29.65$20.923,390
2015$22.30$30.29$21.443,110
2016$23.22$31.15$22.063,130
2017$23.90$31.39$22.613,470
2018$23.65$30.32$22.983,170
2019$24.29$30.59$23.553,190
2020$24.40$30.35$23.932,890
2021$23.29$27.67$23.253,570
2022$27.61$30.37$24.733,620
2023$28.15$29.74$27.003,670
2024$28.91$29.67$28.233,610
2025$29.61$29.61$28.783,750

In today's dollars, the median heavy equipment operator wage in Montana changed by -2.2% over the last ten years of data and by -3.2% since 2019.

Are there more heavy equipment operator jobs in Montana?

+17.6%Jobs since 20193,190 then, 3,750 in 2025
+20.6%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
7.3Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 2.4× the US share, 5th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of heavy equipment operators counted in Montana has changed by +16.5%, against +47.4% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by +17.6%.

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Montana vs United States, 1999 = 100MontanaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages50100150200200020052010201520202025147United States116Montana
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, Montana vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearMontana jobsMontana indexUS index
19993,220100100
20001,91059103
20012,40074109
20022,09065106
20032,17067106
20042,55079110
20052,13066117
20062,16067121
20072,48077124
20082,77086123
20092,71084114
20102,53079103
20112,66083103
20123,310103103
20133,510109105
20143,390105106
20153,11097110
20163,13097110
20173,470108113
20183,17098118
20193,19099125
20202,89090124
20213,570111125
20223,620112130
20233,670114139
20243,610112145
20253,750116147

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 Montana

+4.6%Projected growth in Montana2024–2034, state agency
340Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
3,910Jobs in 20244,090 projected for 2034
+4.6%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

Montana's labor market agency projects the number of heavy equipment operators in the state to change by +4.6% between 2024 and 2034, from 3,910 to 4,090, with about 340 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +4.6% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 3,750 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: Montana 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 Montana

On federally funded construction in Montana, contractors must pay heavy equipment operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 2 of the 56 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $49.08 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $28.55). 54 of the 56 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Beaverhead County at $28.95). The market median for the state is $29.61.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, MTBeaverhead: $28.95 (survey)Big Horn: $28.55 (survey)Blaine: $28.55 (survey)Broadwater: $28.95 (survey)Carbon: $49.08 (union)Carter: $28.55 (survey)Cascade: $26.91 (survey)Chouteau: $28.55 (survey)Custer: $28.55 (survey)Daniels: $28.55 (survey)Dawson: $28.55 (survey)Deer Lodge: $28.95 (survey)Fallon: $28.55 (survey)Fergus: $28.55 (survey)Flathead: $24.77 (survey)Gallatin: $28.95 (survey)Garfield: $28.55 (survey)Glacier: $28.55 (survey)Golden Valley: $28.55 (survey)Granite: $28.95 (survey)Hill: $28.55 (survey)Jefferson: $28.95 (survey)Judith Basin: $28.55 (survey)Lake: $24.77 (survey)Lewis and Clark: $28.95 (survey)Liberty: $28.55 (survey)Lincoln: $19.53 (survey)McCone: $28.55 (survey)Madison: $28.95 (survey)Meagher: $28.95 (survey)Mineral: $24.77 (survey)Missoula: $26.91 (survey)Musselshell: $28.55 (survey)Park: $28.95 (survey)Petroleum: $28.55 (survey)Phillips: $28.55 (survey)Pondera: $28.55 (survey)Powder River: $28.55 (survey)Powell: $28.95 (survey)Prairie: $28.55 (survey)Ravalli: $24.77 (survey)Richland: $28.55 (survey)Roosevelt: $28.55 (survey)Rosebud: $28.55 (survey)Sanders: $24.77 (survey)Sheridan: $28.55 (survey)Silver Bow: $28.95 (survey)Stillwater: $28.55 (survey)Sweet Grass: $28.55 (survey)Teton: $28.55 (survey)Toole: $28.55 (survey)Treasure: $28.55 (survey)Valley: $28.55 (survey)Wheatland: $28.55 (survey)Wibaux: $28.55 (survey)Yellowstone: $49.08 (union)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$28.55$28.95survey 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$30$40$50$60/hrCarbon (Billings): market median $29.81, prevailing (union) $49.08, gap +$19.27Carbon (Billings)+$19.27Broadwater (Helena): market median $30.08, prevailing (survey) $28.95, gap −$1.13Broadwater (Helena)−$1.13Cascade (Great Falls): market median $29.85, prevailing (survey) $26.91, gap −$2.94Cascade (Great Falls)−$2.94Gallatin (Bozeman): market median $32.77, prevailing (survey) $28.95, gap −$3.82Gallatin (Bozeman)−$3.82Missoula (Missoula): market median $30.79, prevailing (survey) $26.91, gap −$3.88Missoula (Missoula)−$3.88
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for heavy equipment operators, metro counties in Montana.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
CarbonUnion ENGI0400-005 2025-05-01$32.88$16.20$49.08MT20260061
YellowstoneUnion ENGI0400-005 2025-05-01$32.88$16.20$49.08MT20260064
BeaverheadSurvey SUMT2011-001 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260025
BroadwaterSurvey SUMT2011-003 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260027
Deer LodgeSurvey SUMT2011-006 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260030
GallatinSurvey SUMT2011-009 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260033
GraniteSurvey SUMT2011-012 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260036
JeffersonSurvey SUMT2011-014 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260038
Lewis and ClarkSurvey SUMT2011-016 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260040
MadisonSurvey SUMT2011-018 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260042
MeagherSurvey SUMT2011-035 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260059
ParkSurvey SUMT2011-021 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260045
PowellSurvey SUMT2011-024 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260048
Silver BowSurvey SUMT2011-028 2011-01-04$22.20$6.75$28.95MT20260052
Big HornSurvey SUMT2011-032 2011-01-04$22.98$5.57$28.55MT20260056

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-06. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Montana prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Montana?

38.7kConstruction jobsMontana, 2026-09
+0.5%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-20260k10k20k30k40k50k1990199520002005201020152020202539kSep 2026
Construction employment in Montana (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 14,094 in 2015 to 21,099 in 2025, +49.7%.

CountyEstablishmentsEmployeesAverage annual payAvg weekly wage
Rosebud County10224$111,779$2,150
Deer Lodge County1889$80,074$1,540
Richland County36183$76,715$1,475
Gallatin County8984,678$76,500$1,471
Fallon County1138$75,006$1,442
Yellowstone County5483,479$70,706$1,360
Cascade County2061,496$70,021$1,347
Missoula County4042,454$69,524$1,337
Park County101393$68,962$1,326
Lewis and Clark County2311,250$67,413$1,296
Silver Bow County71396$65,372$1,257
Custer County32114$65,154$1,253

Keep comparing

Heavy equipment operator pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Montana

More on Montana

Questions this page answers

How much do heavy equipment operators make in Montana?

The median heavy equipment operator in Montana earned $29.61 an hour ($61,580 a year) in May 2025, 3% above the national median of $28.78. The middle half earn $27.07–$34.68; the top 10% earn more than $38.41.

Where does Montana rank for heavy equipment operator pay?

Montana ranks 24th of 51 states for heavy equipment operator pay, with a median of $29.61 an hour, and 23rd after adjusting for Montana's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.6, US = 100).

What is the union heavy equipment operator rate in Montana?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for heavy equipment operators in 2 counties, with a typical package of $49.08 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many heavy equipment operators work in Montana?

BLS counted 3,750 heavy equipment operators in Montana in May 2025, 7.3 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 2.38; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is heavy equipment operator work growing in Montana?

The BLS employer survey count of heavy equipment operators in Montana went from 3,110 in 2015 to 3,750 in 2025, +20.6%, and +17.6% since 2019. Montana's labor market agency projects +4.6% growth for heavy equipment operators between 2024 and 2034, from 3,910 to 4,090 jobs.

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

Montana projects about 340 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, Montana 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 2026-11-06. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: Montana labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.