California Median
$66,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $60,190
State Rank
#7 of 48
1,630 employed here
How much do Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas make in California?
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in California take home a median of $66,910 annually — roughly $32.17 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $60,190.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,950 while the top 10% make $91,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,870 and $79,420 a year.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,950 | $23.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,870 | $28.30 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,910 | $32.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,640 | $44.06 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 48 states and territories for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary in other states
Washington $80,490Alaska $80,040Illinois $79,080New Jersey $77,950Montana $71,470Wisconsin $68,320New Hampshire $66,410Connecticut $65,710Kansas $65,600Oregon $64,920Colorado $64,820Wyoming $64,450Massachusetts $64,180Minnesota $63,790Indiana $62,750Michigan $62,570North Dakota $62,570South Carolina $61,500Vermont $61,420Maryland $61,260Nevada $61,030Ohio $61,010New York $60,860Mississippi $60,680Utah $60,490Nebraska $60,200New Mexico $60,140Arizona $58,870Texas $58,700Tennessee $58,670Pennsylvania $57,400North Carolina $57,300Delaware $57,160South Dakota $57,160Kentucky $56,160Louisiana $55,690West Virginia $55,540Virginia $55,470Florida $55,320Idaho $54,830Oklahoma $54,180Iowa $54,000Missouri $51,530Georgia $50,030Alabama $46,440Arkansas $46,160Maine $45,560
Working as Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in California
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($66,910) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas make in California?
The median Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary in California is $66,910 per year, or about $32.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,950 at the entry level to $91,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas about 11% more than the national median of $60,190. California ranks 7th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $66,910 a year. About 1,630 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.