A hydraulic operating apparatus for a circuit interrupter comprises a conversion unit for converting input information from the exterior concerning a speed control pattern into an electrical signal for driving a linear or servo motor according to the closing and interrupting commands, the motor drive signal provided from the converting means being transmitted to the motor such that the displacement of the motor causes the hydraulic control valve apparatus to be operated to switch the fluid passages to selectively drive the hydraulic cylinder in different directions, and that the position during the switching of the hydraulic control valve driven by the motor is made different from the final stop position at its interruption or closed state to provide a throttle effect of a throttle in the hydraulic control valve thereby controlling the speed of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic operating apparatus may comprise a conversion unit for converting contact closing and opening commands into an electrical signal for driving a linear or servo motor.