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

Trevor Jennings

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$48,000

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,418
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,000
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Boyce
Work county: Rapides
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,582
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,582
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 220240079
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Trevor Jennings serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Boyce, Louisiana. Their 2024 pay totaled $48,000. They are classified at grade 05.

Stephen Fincham

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,688

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,688
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,688
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Fairplay
Work county: Park
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,688
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,688
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080790093
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Stephen Fincham works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Fairplay, Colorado. Stephen earned $47,688 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Aaron Conner

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,664

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $164
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,664
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Chatsworth
Work county: Murray
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,500
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 131080213
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Aaron Conner holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Chatsworth, Georgia. In 2024, their total compensation was $47,664. Their pay grade is 05.

Elijah Allen

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,500

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,500
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Lakemont
Work county: Rabun
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,500
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 133063241
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Elijah Allen serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Lakemont, Georgia. Their 2024 pay totaled $47,500. They are classified at grade 05.

Joseph Bishop

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,500

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,500
Pay grade: 05
Work city: North Fork
Work county: Madera
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,500
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062423039
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Joseph Bishop is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in North Fork, California. 2024 total compensation came to $47,500. They are classified at grade 05.

Austin Gingrich

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,500

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,500
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,500
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Wellston
Work county: Manistee
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,500
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,500
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 265159101
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Austin Gingrich holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Wellston, Michigan. In 2024, their total compensation was $47,500. Their pay grade is 05.

Christopher Garrison

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,375

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,375
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,375
Pay grade: 05
Work city: New Ellenton
Work county: Aiken
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,375
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,375
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 451755003
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Christopher Garrison is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in New Ellenton, South Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $47,375. They are classified at grade 05.

Tylor Cooper

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,312

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,312
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,312
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Baldwin
Work county: Lake
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,312
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,312
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 260250085
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Tylor Cooper works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Baldwin, Michigan. Tylor earned $47,312 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

William Gay

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,283

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,540
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $743
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,283
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Eatonton
Work county: Putnam
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,540
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,540
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 131930237
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, William Gay serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Eatonton, Georgia. Their 2024 pay totaled $47,283. They are classified at grade 05.

Brandon Clark

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$47,041

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $47,041
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,041
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Brent
Work county: Bibb
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,041
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,041
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 010460007
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Brandon Clark holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Brent, Alabama. In 2024, their total compensation was $47,041. Their pay grade is 05.

Sean Baldivid

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$46,771

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $189
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,771
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Upper Lake
Work county: Lake
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,582
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,582
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 064005033
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Sean Baldivid is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Upper Lake, California. 2024 total compensation came to $46,771. They are classified at grade 05.

Hunter Masters

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$46,582

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,582
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Provencal
Work county: Natchitoches
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,582
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,582
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 221957069
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Hunter Masters holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Provencal, Louisiana. In 2024, their total compensation was $46,582. Their pay grade is 05.

Kurt Sorrels

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$46,582

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,582
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Oroville
Work county: Butte
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,582
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,582
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062600007
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Kurt Sorrels holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Oroville, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $46,582. Their pay grade is 05.

Jacob Tinnerello

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$46,582

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,582
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Winnfield
Work county: Winn
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,582
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,582
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222440127
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Jacob Tinnerello holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Winnfield, Louisiana. In 2024, their total compensation was $46,582. Their pay grade is 05.

Brian Kelley

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$46,498

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,498
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,498
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Sparks
Work county: Washoe
Work state: Nevada

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,498
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,498
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 320190031
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Brian Kelley is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Sparks, Nevada. 2024 total compensation came to $46,498. They are classified at grade 05.

Nacona Jackson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$46,498

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $46,498
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,498
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Elko
Work county: Elko
Work state: Nevada

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $46,498
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,498
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 320075007
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Nacona Jackson is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Elko, Nevada. 2024 total compensation came to $46,498. They are classified at grade 05.

Dustin Cattee

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$46,439

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $44,912
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,527
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $46,439
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Bristol
Work county: Sullivan
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: 470290163
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Dustin Cattee works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Bristol, Tennessee. Dustin earned $46,439 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Ryan Price

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$45,977

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $45,977
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,977
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Decatur
Work county: Wise
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,977
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,977
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 481780497
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Ryan Price serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Decatur, Texas. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,977. They are classified at grade 05.

Charles Gordon

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$45,806

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $45,392
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $414
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,806
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Puxico
Work county: Stoddard
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,392
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,392
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 296550207
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Charles Gordon holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Puxico, Missouri. In 2024, their total compensation was $45,806. Their pay grade is 05.

Dewey Jackson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$45,768

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $45,768
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,768
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Andalusia
Work county: Covington
Work state: Alabama

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,768
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,768
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 010090039
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Dewey Jackson is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Andalusia, Alabama. 2024 total compensation came to $45,768. They are classified at grade 05.

Cameron Cagle

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$45,643

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $45,643
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,643
Pay grade: 05
Work city: New Bern
Work county: Craven
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,643
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,643
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 373250049
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Cameron Cagle holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in New Bern, North Carolina. In 2024, their total compensation was $45,643. Their pay grade is 05.

Justin Mclawhorn

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$45,643

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $45,643
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,643
Pay grade: 05
Work city: New Bern
Work county: Craven
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,643
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,643
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 373250049
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Justin Mclawhorn works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in New Bern, North Carolina. Justin earned $45,643 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.