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

Jonathan Bishop

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$107,522

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $107,522
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,522
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Carson
Work county: Skamania
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,522
Basic Pay (before locality): $107,522
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 530255059
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Jonathan Bishop holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Carson, Washington. In 2024, their total compensation was $107,522. Their pay grade is 10.

Curt Carlise

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$104,493

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $102,993
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,493
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Prescott
Work county: Yavapai
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,993
Basic Pay (before locality): $102,993
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040386025
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

At Department of Agriculture, Curt Carlise serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Prescott, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $104,493. They are classified at grade 10.

Eugene Dayzie

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$102,993

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $102,993
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,993
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Payson
Work county: Gila
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $102,993
Basic Pay (before locality): $102,993
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040365007
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Eugene Dayzie holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Payson, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $102,993. Their pay grade is 10.

Shane Yarrington

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$98,317

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $97,317
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,317
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Salmon
Work county: Lemhi
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,317
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,317
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 161630059
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Shane Yarrington holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Salmon, Idaho. In 2024, their total compensation was $98,317. Their pay grade is 10.

Buddy Lee

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$97,797

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $97,797
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,797
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Springerville
Work county: Apache
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $97,797
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,797
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040470001
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Buddy Lee holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Springerville, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $97,797. Their pay grade is 10.

Lawrence Arrington

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$96,106

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $96,106
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,106
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Redding
Work county: Shasta
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,106
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,106
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 062950089
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Lawrence Arrington is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Redding, California. 2024 total compensation came to $96,106. They are classified at grade 10.

Thomas Alling

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$95,814

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $95,814
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,814
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Grass Valley
Work county: Nevada
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $95,814
Basic Pay (before locality): $95,814
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061460057
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Thomas Alling works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Grass Valley, California. Thomas earned $95,814 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.

James Mcbreen

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$93,748

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $93,748
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,748
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Glenwood Spgs
Work county: Garfield
Work state: Colorado

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $93,748
Basic Pay (before locality): $93,748
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 080990045
Length of Service (Years): 21
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

James Mcbreen is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Glenwood Spgs, Colorado. 2024 total compensation came to $93,748. They are classified at grade 10.

Matthew Kelley

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$92,698

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $88,698
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,698
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Santa Fe
Work county: Santa Fe
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,698
Basic Pay (before locality): $88,698
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350710049
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Matthew Kelley is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $92,698. They are classified at grade 10.

Sergio Martinez

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$92,663

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $92,663
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,663
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Arcadia
Work county: Los Angeles
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $92,663
Basic Pay (before locality): $92,663
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 060120037
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Sergio Martinez is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Arcadia, California. 2024 total compensation came to $92,663. They are classified at grade 10.

Douglas Nesbit

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$92,183

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $92,183
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,183
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Sparks
Work county: Washoe
Work state: Nevada

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $92,183
Basic Pay (before locality): $92,183
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 320190031
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

At Department of Agriculture, Douglas Nesbit serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Sparks, Nevada. Their 2024 pay totaled $92,183. They are classified at grade 10.

David Pantti

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$90,805

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $90,805
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,805
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Warren
Work county: Warren
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,805
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,805
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 428850123
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

David Pantti holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Warren, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $90,805. Their pay grade is 10.

Nicholas Caywood

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$90,573

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $89,073
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,573
Pay grade: 09
Work city: Sheridan
Work county: Sheridan
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,073
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,073
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560750033
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Nicholas Caywood is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Sheridan, Wyoming. 2024 total compensation came to $90,573. They are classified at grade 09.

Matthew Wolf

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$90,304

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $90,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,304
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Hill City
Work county: Pennington
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,304
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,304
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 461320103
Length of Service (Years): 24
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

At Department of Agriculture, Matthew Wolf serves as a Engineering Equipment Operating based in Hill City, South Dakota. Their 2024 pay totaled $90,304. They are classified at grade 10.

Dan Truchot

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$90,304

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $90,304
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,304
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Afton
Work county: Lincoln
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,304
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,304
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560010023
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Dan Truchot is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Afton, Wyoming. 2024 total compensation came to $90,304. They are classified at grade 10.

Carson Smith

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$90,179

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $90,179
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,179
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Bishop
Work county: Inyo
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $90,179
Basic Pay (before locality): $90,179
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 060390027
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WL

Carson Smith holds the role of Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Bishop, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $90,179. Their pay grade is 10.

Michael Karr

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,991

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $89,991
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,991
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Idleyld Park
Work county: Douglas
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,991
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,991
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411053019
Length of Service (Years): 49
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Michael Karr is a Engineering Equipment Operating at Department of Agriculture based in Idleyld Park, Oregon. 2024 total compensation came to $89,991. They are classified at grade 10.

Tanner Slover

Engineering Equipment Operating/Department of Agriculture

2024 total comp

$89,991

Sub-department: Forest Service
Base pay: $89,991
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,991
Pay grade: 10
Work city: Bend
Work county: Deschutes
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $89,991
Basic Pay (before locality): $89,991
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 410190017
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 5716
Pay Plan (OPM): WS

Tanner Slover works as a Engineering Equipment Operating for Department of Agriculture based in Bend, Oregon. Tanner earned $89,991 in 2024. Their pay grade is 10.