Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in California
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California earn a median of $87,160 a year ($41.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 36,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,210 for the top 10%. That is 46% higher than the national median of $59,850. California ranks 4th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.0 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $94,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,760 | $25.37 |
| 25th percentile | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| Median | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| 75th percentile | $125,560 | $60.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,210 | $63.56 |
| Average (mean) | $94,000 | $45.19 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,263.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,631.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,352.31 |
| Weekly | $1,676.15 |
| Hourly | $41.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $124,750 | 4,080 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $124,340 | 1,360 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $105,080 | 710 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,100 | 630 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,890 | 8,780 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $91,650 | 2,920 |
| Modesto, CA | $90,560 | 430 |
| Napa, CA | $90,060 | 160 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,670 | 3,130 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,290 | 780 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $81,500 | 400 |
| Yuba City, CA | $80,620 | 230 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,320 | 340 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $79,340 | 530 |
| Chico, CA | $79,040 | 230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,720 | 4,740 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,310 | 1,290 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $77,960 | 1,000 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,420 | 760 |
| Redding, CA | $77,090 | 340 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $75,640 | 130 |
| Merced, CA | $74,800 | 160 |
| El Centro, CA | $70,830 | 240 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $63,050 | 100 |
| Visalia, CA | $60,530 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in California?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in California is $87,160 a year, or $41.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in California?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in California earn at least $132,210 a year. The top 25% earn $125,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,760 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $65,230 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in California?
About 36,020 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.