Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $78,720 a year ($37.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,840 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 10% lower than the California statewide median of $87,160. There are 2.8 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| 25th percentile | $62,190 | $29.90 |
| Median | $78,720 | $37.85 |
| 75th percentile | $119,170 | $57.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,840 | $61.46 |
| Average (mean) | $86,910 | $41.79 |
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 | $6,560 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,280 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,027.69 |
| Weekly | $1,513.85 |
| Hourly | $37.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,720 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $70,880 | $34.08 |
| Construction Laborer | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Electrician | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,910 | $23.51 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Roofer | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $53,580 | $25.76 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $72,790 | $34.99 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $54,850 | $26.37 |
| Glazier | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $68,780 | $33.07 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $78,720 a year, or $37.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $127,840 a year. The top 25% earn $119,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,640 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $62,190 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 4,740 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.