How much does a Ground Equipment Operator make in Utah? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Ground Equipment Operator in Utah is $44,646 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Ground Equipment Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $54,083
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $40,471 to $49,586
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,670

Key Factors That Influence Ground Equipment Operator Salaries

A Ground Equipment Operator'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Ground Equipment Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Ground Equipment Operator'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): $39,247
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $43,617
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $49,494
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $53,173
  • Expert (over 8 years): $77,277
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Machine Operator I less than 1 year $39,247
Ground Equipment Operator 1-2 years $43,617
Machine Operator III 2-4 years $49,494
Machine Operator IV 5-8 years $53,173
Machine Operator Supervisor over 8 years $77,277

Top Paying Cities for Ground Equipment Operator

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:

  • Tremonton: $44,297
  • Fielding: $44,322
  • Garland: $44,345

Ground Equipment Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Ground Equipment Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Ground Equipment Operator positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Ground Equipment Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Ground Equipment Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Media $58,040 $28.0 30%
Insurance $55,808 $27.0 25%
Construction $53,576 $26.0 20%
Financial Services $51,343 $25.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $49,111 $24.0 10%

Ground Equipment Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Ground Equipment Operator'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$40,471
Average $44,646/year
$49,586
$3,373
Average $3,721/month
$4,132
$778
Average $859/week
$954
$19
Average $21/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,586 $4,132 $954 $24
Average $44,646 $3,721 $859 $21
25th Percentile $40,471 $3,373 $778 $19

Find Your Next Ground Equipment Operator Job

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

  • Nucor | Salt Lake City, UT

    Nucor | Salt Lake City, UT

    Nucor - - Responsibilities: Operate heavy equipment of various sizes including cranes and loaders. Load scrap material onto shredder feed conveyor and move... more

    9 Days Ago

  • CRH | Roosevelt, UT

    CRH | Roosevelt, UT

    CRH - - Responsibilities: Operate equipment safely and efficiently. Locate utilities and other buried lines prior to digging. Keep time and material record... more

    10 Days Ago

  • CRH | Salt Lake City, UT

    CRH | Salt Lake City, UT

    CRH - - Responsibilities: Operate equipment safely and efficiently. Locate utilities and other buried lines prior to digging. Perform minor servicing and m... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Cencora | Salt Lake City, UT

    Cencora | Salt Lake City, UT

    Cencora - - Responsibilities: Order fulfillment – stocking, restocking, picking and packing, and outbound shipping of customer orders. Perform daily cycle ... more

    10 Days Ago

  • CRH | Smithfield, UT

    CRH | Smithfield, UT

    CRH - - Responsibilities: Operate heavy equipment including loaders, excavators, dozers, graders, haul trucks, rollers, skid steers. Perform excavation, gr... more

    10 Days Ago

  • City of Logan | Logan, UT

    City of Logan | Logan, UT

    Job Description. Job Description. Salary. $21.90 - $25.77 Hourly. Job Type. Full-time. Location. Logan, Utah. Department. Public Works. FLSA Status. Non-Ex... more

    11 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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