Assistant Operating Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Operating Engineer make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Operating Engineer in the United States is $95,070 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, an Assistant Operating Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $107,093
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,722 to $101,363
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $82,943

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Operating Engineer Salaries

An Assistant Operating Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Operating Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Operating Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $78,399
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,758
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,056
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $137,649
  • Expert (over 8 years): $162,410
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Reliability Engineer I less than 1 year $78,399
Assistant Operating Engineer 1-2 years $93,758
Reliability Engineer III 2-4 years $113,056
Reliability Engineer IV 5-8 years $137,649
Reliability Engineer V over 8 years $162,410

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Operating Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $119,911
  • San Francisco: $118,598
  • Oakland: $116,099

Assistant Operating Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Operating Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Operating Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Operating Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Operating Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $104,576 $50.0 10%
Biotechnology $104,576 $50.0 10%
Chemicals $104,576 $50.0 10%
Energy & Utilities $104,576 $50.0 10%
Financial Services $104,576 $50.0 10%

How Education impacts an Assistant Operating Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Operating Engineer professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Assistant Operating Engineer with a Associate's is between $91,915 and $95,734.

Assistant Operating Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Operating Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 51%
High School 44.9%
Associate's Degree 4.1%
Bachelor's Degree 51%
Master's Degree or MBA 44.9%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 4.1%

Assistant Operating Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Operating Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$88,722
Average $95,070/year
$101,363
$7,393
Average $7,922/month
$8,447
$1,706
Average $1,828/week
$1,949
$43
Average $46/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $101,363 $8,447 $1,949 $49
Average $95,070 $7,922 $1,828 $46
25th Percentile $88,722 $7,393 $1,706 $43

Most common benefits for Assistant Operating Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Assistant Operating Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Assistant Operating Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Assistant Operating Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Operating Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Make an impact. Change lives. Live a Legacy. Experience a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant career that's full of joy, purpose, and opportunities to... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    RN

    Ohio State Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Travel Rn Stepdown (Pcu) Shift. Night shift - 12 hours. Start date: 09/21/2026. End date: 12/21/2026. Duration: 13 weeks. City: Columbus. State: OH more

    18 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    21 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    26 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    28 Days Ago

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FAQ about Assistant Operating Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Assistant Operating Engineer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Assistant Operating Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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