Operator's Wages

[digger242j]

It's always interesting to know how much money your job is worth.

It's also been said that people are more willing to openly discuss their sex lives than they are their financial details. For that reason, I'll post a poll.

You can vote in a poll without replying to the thread, and nobody will know what your vote was. Since you are assured of being anonymous, you may as well be honest.

The question is, "What is an experienced operator's hourly pay?" If you are an employer, what are you paying, or if you are an employee, what are you getting? I know this was discussd a little in another thread.

If you want to add any comments, please do. (Like, "starting pay is about $5 less", or something enlightening like that)

I realize that the pay scale will differ according to what particular segment of the industry you're in. If anybody wants to say what "Union Scale" is in their neck of the woods, I'm sure we'd all be interested to know. I imagine that people in the green industry are probably getting something a little different form those in residential construction, who are probably getting something a little different than heavy/highway, and mining, and etc. etc. etc. There's probably a difference depending on what part of the world you're in too. (I'm only equipped to think in terms of US dollars.) If benefits are provided, they should be added in to the figure.

It should be interesting to see how much of a variation there is.

[John Banks]

Well, around here, I have been told that experienced Operating Engineers make about $30 an hour, that's after many years, plus their benefits. Operating Engineers, the old timers run the large machines and most will refuse to get in a backhoe, and almost never will they run a skid steer. The younger guys will run the smaller equipment. Teamsters start about $13 an hour up to about $25 an hour, plus benefits.

Non-union wages run higher than those of the union guys.

A family relative does a lot of the bridge work in and around NYC. Experienced Crane operators there can earn as much as $100-$200 an hour.

A friend of mine runs a concrete shop. He pays his drivers on average $22 an hour, plus benefits. He has three drivers he pays a lot more than that to.

[digger242j]

There's a help wanted ad in last Sunday's Pittsburgh newspaper from an outfit in Virginia. They're offering $19.25 for finish grader operators, $18.50 for excavator, loader, and dozer operators, and $15.50 for CDL drivers. Also, $18 for field mechanics.

Given the poll results so far, it doesn't seem too surprising that they're having to advertise so far from home.

[xkvator]

a friend of mine's business was a little slow about 2-3 winters ago, so he took a job with an outfit installing sewer lines...i remember him telling me $22/hr.

[digger242j]

It was probably 10 years ago now that I was offered a job by a guy who said he did all "prevailing wage" jobs. I figured for that kind of money I was just as far ahead to park my equipment and go for the nice paycheck every week. That turned out not to be entirely true though, and in the process I learned a good lesson about how important it is to me to be my own boss, regardless of the money. If I recall correctly, at that time laborers were getting around $17, and operators about $22 (That was union wage, plus a couple of bucks added because you didn't get the benefits they got in the union.) That's one of the reasons I'm curious as to what union scale is now. Has it kept pace with the cost of living?

John Banks' comment, "Non-union wages run higher than those of the union guys", kinda surprises me, unless that adjustment for the benefits is the reason.

[RonG]

I worked on a job last year breaking ground for a magnate,I am not sure how to spell that,I have seen "magnet" too but it was one of those over achieving students schools anyway and my payrate was $40.38 an hour which was scale (29.**) plus bennies.Unfortunately there was some family and some politics involved and I only stayed there for about a month and a half.
They sent the super that hired me to another job right away and when he heard that I was out of work he hired me again for the same company and I finished the year with them at about half the pay with the promise of going back to the school job in the spring.Well,guess what I was told in the spring,they always have plenty of help at the school job.lol
I was stacking hazmat on plastic with an old D8K and just had to stay ahead of two rock trucks,a pretty gravy job.

[windrow]

I went on my own last year. but in ND $34/hr for operators. in 2010./2011 but as far as cost of living, $28/hr was the prevailing wage back in 1996/1997. or $ 17/hr back in 1981. certainly does not go as far as it used to. Somebodys gettin rich but it is not me!

[Squizzy246B]

It's also been said that people are more willing to openly discuss their sex lives than they are their financial details. For that reason, I'll post a poll.

It should be interesting to see how much of a variation there is.

I'm still waiting for the sex poll

[Jeff D.]

What do you mean Squizzy??

Are you wondering how much we get paid??

[Squizzy246B]

What do you mean Squizzy??

Are you wondering how much we get paid??

Depends on wether you are an "operator".

Job we are on at the moment is getting to the rather difficult stage. We are going to have to drill holes 16 feet deep to pour concrete pylons and there is no room for a big rig. Client, who has observed and conversed with us for a week is starting to get the hang of some earthmoving terminology, turns to me and says "this is starting to sound like an ankle grabbing experience"

[guss]

39.73 here in southern ohio.

[dirt digger]

i made $18/hr for operating/truck driving....then government jobs I was making something like $38 running a backhoe

[liebherr1160]

Back in Ontario Canada i was making 36 n change for up to 90Ton rate plus more for pension and benifits ..the package worked to about 44-46 $'s an hour ....

None-union guy's were getting 44-50 an hour ..but no benifit's and no pension ..and actually thought they were further ahead ..ever hear of tax's and what it does to that kinda money...
truth be said after 14 yr's of service as an operator (16yrs in OE's total)given what i spent to get in, get trainned ..certification and so on ...
my pension right now would make a good doctor cry with all things considerd..

[basspro]

Don't suppose they are still hiring in Canada as this thread is from 2006!

I could fit in eh? knew wat i'm taking aboot?

[liebherr1160]

Don't suppose they are still hiring in Canada as this thread is from 2006!

I could fit in eh? knew wat i'm taking aboot?

just hook a plane ..and land ..cry foul and diplomatic imunity ...your in