Motor Vehicle Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Motor Vehicle Operators Make?
Motor Vehicle Operators earn a median annual salary of $36,260 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $25,690 at the 10th percentile to $64,940 at the 90th percentile — a range of $39,250. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $70,990.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,690 |
| 25th percentile | $30,250 |
| Median (50th) | $36,260 |
| 75th percentile | $47,130 |
| 90th percentile | $64,940 |
Motor Vehicle Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $70,990 |
| District of Columbia | $68,350 |
| Hawaii | $64,660 |
| Oklahoma | $58,470 |
| Iowa | $51,000 |
| South Dakota | $50,480 |
| New Mexico | $49,580 |
| Washington | $49,000 |
| Arizona | $47,840 |
| Alabama | $47,170 |
| New Jersey | $47,010 |
| Utah | $46,340 |
| Rhode Island | $41,490 |
| California | $41,340 |
| Kentucky | $39,380 |
| Idaho | $39,000 |
| Wyoming | $38,450 |
| New York | $38,340 |
| Virginia | $38,210 |
| Colorado | $37,950 |
| Arkansas | $37,610 |
| Illinois | $37,440 |
| Wisconsin | $37,290 |
| Tennessee | $36,980 |
| North Dakota | $36,920 |
| Oregon | $36,480 |
| Indiana | $36,380 |
| Connecticut | $35,880 |
| Minnesota | $35,780 |
| Missouri | $35,260 |
| Maryland | $35,180 |
| Florida | $34,740 |
| Massachusetts | $32,540 |
| Michigan | $31,990 |
| Georgia | $31,950 |
| Maine | $31,760 |
| Montana | $31,600 |
| New Hampshire | $31,560 |
| Texas | $31,330 |
| West Virginia | $31,210 |
| Louisiana | $30,820 |
| Nebraska | $30,740 |
| Delaware | $30,470 |
| Ohio | $30,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,110 |
| North Carolina | $28,700 |
| Vermont | $28,580 |
| South Carolina | $28,040 |
| Kansas | $22,300 |
| Mississippi | $20,990 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Motor Vehicle Operators
Motor Vehicle Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$25,690 – $30,250 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$36,260 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$47,130 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $64,940+ |
How to Earn More as a Motor Vehicle Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Motor Vehicle Operators in Brunswick-St. Simons, GA earn $69,880 — $33,620 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($47,130) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Motor Vehicle Operator requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 53-3099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.