U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Agriculture / Engineering Equipment Operating

Job-title file

Engineering Equipment Operating

Design, analyze, and oversee technical systems or infrastructure, ensuring they meet specifications and codes.

472 employees hold this title in Department of Agriculture. Median total compensation for the role is $66,505, below the department median of $77,955.

Employees: 472
Total payroll: $31.4M
Role median: $66,505
Agency median: $77,955
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$40,175$92,461+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 472 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Engineering Equipment Operating pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — about 478,090 people — is $59,850. Department of Agriculture pays a median base salary of $65,803 for this role, 10% above that figure — about the 59th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Agriculture sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$42,190

$48,680

$59,850

$77,170

$101,090

Department of Agriculture median · $65,803

The bar is the range of annual wages for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Agriculture’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Agriculture is $66,505, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Engineering Equipment Operating is held in 10 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Agriculture, the median of $66,505 ranks #8 of 10.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Energy

$121,693 · 14

Presidio Trust

$111,297 · 3

Department of Transportation

$79,459 · 7

Department of Homeland Security

$78,774 · 22

Smithsonian Institution

$77,031 · 3

Department of Interior

$69,455 · 721

Department of Veterans Affairs

$66,972 · 226

Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

$65,740 · 2

Inter Bound and Water Community U.S. Section

$65,135 · 23

Median total compensation for the Engineering Equipment Operating role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Brandon Stout

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$45,054

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $44,912
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $142
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,054
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Unicoi
Work county: Unicoi
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,912
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,912
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 472477171
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Brandon Stout works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Unicoi, Tennessee. Brandon earned $45,054 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Jack Duncan

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$44,620

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $44,620
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,620
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Sparks
Work county: Washoe
Work state: Nevada

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,620
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,620
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 320190031
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Jack Duncan holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Sparks, Nevada. In 2024, their total compensation was $44,620. Their pay grade is 05.

Bradley Evans

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$44,584

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $43,869
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $715
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,584
Pay grade: 05
Work city: New Ellenton
Work county: Aiken
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,869
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,869
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 451755003
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Bradley Evans works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in New Ellenton, South Carolina. Bradley earned $44,584 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Jaedyn Mendiola

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$44,224

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $44,224
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,224
Pay grade: 05
Work city: White Swan
Work county: Yakima
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,224
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,224
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 532507077
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Jaedyn Mendiola holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in White Swan, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $44,224. Their pay grade is 05.

Keenan Gross

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$44,161

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $44,161
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,161
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Sheridan
Work county: Sheridan
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,161
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,161
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560750033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Keenan Gross works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Sheridan, Wyoming. Keenan earned $44,161 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Jaden Mohr

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$44,161

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $44,161
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,161
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Laramie
Work county: Albany
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,161
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,161
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560470001
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Jaden Mohr holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Laramie, Wyoming. In 2024, their total compensation was $44,161. Their pay grade is 05.

Leonard Becklund

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$44,161

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $44,161
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,161
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Sheridan
Work county: Sheridan
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,161
Basic Pay (before locality): $44,161
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560750033
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Leonard Becklund is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Sheridan, Wyoming. 2024 total compensation came to $44,161. They are classified at grade 05.

Hannah Casavant

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$43,975

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $43,764
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $211
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,975
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Benton
Work county: Polk
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,764
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,764
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 470215139
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Hannah Casavant holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Benton, Tennessee. In 2024, their total compensation was $43,975. Their pay grade is 05.

Colton Allred

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$43,930

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $43,430
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,930
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Price
Work county: Carbon
Work state: Utah

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,430
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,430
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 491540007
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Colton Allred serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Price, Utah. Their 2024 pay totaled $43,930. They are classified at grade 05.

Jarett Daniel

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$43,716

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $42,950
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $766
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,716
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Moulton
Work county: Lawrence
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,950
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,950
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 012150079
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Jarett Daniel holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Moulton, Alabama. In 2024, their total compensation was $43,716. Their pay grade is 05.

Phyllida Whittaker

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$43,547

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $43,138
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $409
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,547
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Troy
Work county: Montgomery
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,138
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,138
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 374660123
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Phyllida Whittaker is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Troy, North Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $43,547. They are classified at grade 05.

Brett Byley

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$43,535

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $43,535
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,535
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Zavalla
Work county: Angelina
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,535
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,535
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 487665005
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Brett Byley holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Zavalla, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $43,535. Their pay grade is 05.

Joseph Dowdy

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$43,535

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $43,535
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,535
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Ratcliff
Work county: Houston
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $43,535
Basic Pay (before locality): $43,535
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 485655225
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Joseph Dowdy holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Ratcliff, Texas. In 2024, their total compensation was $43,535. Their pay grade is 05.

Pete Aragon

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$43,200

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $42,617
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $583
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $43,200
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Taos
Work county: Taos
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,617
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,617
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350780055
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Pete Aragon is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Taos, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $43,200. They are classified at grade 05.