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

Grant Peterson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$58,353

Sub-department: Agricultural Research Service
Base pay: $58,353
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,353
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Ames
Work county: Story
Work state: Iowa

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $58,353
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,353
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 190230169
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Grant Peterson serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Ames, Iowa. Their 2024 pay totaled $58,353. They are classified at grade 08.

Brian Wattenburg

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$58,329

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $58,123
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $206
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,329
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Chester
Work county: Plumas
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $58,123
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,123
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 060650063
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Brian Wattenburg holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Chester, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $58,329. Their pay grade is 08.

Lane Wilson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$58,300

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $58,123
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $177
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,300
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Tulelake
Work county: Siskiyou
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $58,123
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,123
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063930093
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Lane Wilson holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Tulelake, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $58,300. Their pay grade is 08.

Duane Hoggatt

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$58,123

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $58,123
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,123
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Stonyford
Work county: Colusa
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $58,123
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,123
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 063772011
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Duane Hoggatt serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Stonyford, California. Their 2024 pay totaled $58,123. They are classified at grade 08.

John Harris

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$58,102

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $58,102
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,102
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Douglas
Work county: Converse
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $58,102
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,102
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560200009
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

John Harris works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Douglas, Wyoming. John earned $58,102 in 2024. Their pay grade is 08.

Leroy Prior

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$58,060

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $58,060
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,060
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Tucson
Work county: Pima
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $58,060
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,060
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040530019
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Leroy Prior holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Tucson, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $58,060. Their pay grade is 08.

Clayton Gilleland

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$58,039

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $58,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,039
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Del Norte
Work county: Rio Grande
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $58,039
Basic Pay (before locality): $58,039
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080580105
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Clayton Gilleland is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Del Norte, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $58,039. They are classified at grade 10.

Jason Brainard

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$57,893

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $57,893
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,893
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Grangeville
Work county: Idaho
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $57,893
Basic Pay (before locality): $57,893
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160630049
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Jason Brainard works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Grangeville, Idaho. Jason earned $57,893 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

Darren Montoya

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$57,873

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $57,873
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,873
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Monte Vista
Work county: Rio Grande
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $57,873
Basic Pay (before locality): $57,873
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 081680105
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Darren Montoya serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Monte Vista, Colorado. Their 2024 pay totaled $57,873. They are classified at grade 08.

Braden Dennis

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$57,812

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $57,288
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $524
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,812
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Poplar Bluff
Work county: Butler
Work state: Missouri

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $57,288
Basic Pay (before locality): $57,288
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 296410023
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Braden Dennis is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. 2024 total compensation came to $57,812. They are classified at grade 10.

Brian Nelson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$57,789

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $57,789
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,789
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Glenwood Spgs
Work county: Garfield
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $57,789
Basic Pay (before locality): $57,789
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080990045
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Brian Nelson works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Glenwood Spgs, Colorado. Brian earned $57,789 in 2024. Their pay grade is 08.

Zachary Simmons

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$57,688

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $55,389
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,299
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,688
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Mchenry
Work county: Stone
Work state: Mississippi

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,389
Basic Pay (before locality): $55,389
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 281485131
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Zachary Simmons serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Mchenry, Mississippi. Their 2024 pay totaled $57,688. They are classified at grade 10.

Timothy Lanterman

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$57,230

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $56,099
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,131
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,230
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Olustee
Work county: Baker
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,099
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122315003
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Timothy Lanterman holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Olustee, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $57,230. Their pay grade is 08.

Chad Ferrell

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$57,226

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $57,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,226
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Whitmire
Work county: Newberry
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $57,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $57,226
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 452850071
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Chad Ferrell is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Whitmire, South Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $57,226. They are classified at grade 08.

Donald Crank

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$56,871

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $56,871
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,871
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Payson
Work county: Gila
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,871
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,871
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040365007
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Donald Crank serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Payson, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $56,871. They are classified at grade 05.

Trisha Nelson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$56,808

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $56,808
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,808
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Elko
Work county: Elko
Work state: Nevada

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,808
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,808
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 320075007
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Trisha Nelson serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Elko, Nevada. Their 2024 pay totaled $56,808. They are classified at grade 08.

Robert Muir

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$56,766

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $56,766
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,766
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Manila
Work county: Daggett
Work state: Utah

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,766
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,766
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 491030009
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Robert Muir holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Manila, Utah. In 2024, their total compensation was $56,766. Their pay grade is 08.

Jason Thompson

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$56,550

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $56,099
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $451
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,550
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Altoona
Work county: Lake
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,099
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 120041069
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Jason Thompson is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Altoona, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $56,550. They are classified at grade 08.

Alan Kirby

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$56,359

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $56,099
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $260
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,359
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Altoona
Work county: Lake
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,099
Basic Pay (before locality): $56,099
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 120041069
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Alan Kirby works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Altoona, Florida. Alan earned $56,359 in 2024. Their pay grade is 08.

Anthony West

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$56,323

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $55,806
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $517
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,323
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Mccloud
Work county: Siskiyou
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,806
Basic Pay (before locality): $55,806
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062030093
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Anthony West works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Mccloud, California. Anthony earned $56,323 in 2024. Their pay grade is 08.

Michael Eye

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$56,264

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $55,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $750
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,264
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Elkins
Work county: Randolph
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,514
Basic Pay (before locality): $55,514
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 540810083
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

At Department of Agriculture, Michael Eye serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Elkins, West Virginia. Their 2024 pay totaled $56,264. They are classified at grade 08.

Dustin Morris

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$55,994

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $55,994
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,994
Pay grade: 08
Work city: Yellowpine
Work county: Sabine
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,994
Basic Pay (before locality): $55,994
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 487628403
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WG

Dustin Morris is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Yellowpine, Texas. 2024 total compensation came to $55,994. They are classified at grade 08.