The only way your going to get decent pay as a equipment operator in this area is if you become a member of the local international union of operating engineers. Pay would be based upon the work you are performing, and experience. Local 17 has their own apprentice program which I can bet is not easy to get into unless you know someone. Operators on our jobsite make which is 31.72/hr which is a class A rate with a hazardous work premium. As a apprentice you would probably make much less, say 20/hr. If you were a nonunion apprentice I would say you would make maybe 10/hr.
I would try to get some information from Local 17 if you looking to come back to this area and work.