California Median
$87,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+46% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#4 of 51
36,020 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in California?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators working in California earn a median salary of $87,160 per year, or about $41.90 per hour. That is 46% above the national median of $59,850 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $52,760 while the top 10% make $132,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,230 and $125,560 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,760 | $25.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,230 | $31.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,160 | $41.90 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $125,560 | $60.37 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,210 | $63.56 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280District of Columbia $74,610Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330South Dakota $59,500Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140New Mexico $52,000Tennessee $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($87,160) 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in California?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in California is $87,160 per year, or about $41.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,760 at the entry level to $132,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 46% more than the national median of $59,850. California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $87,160 a year. About 36,020 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 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.