How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make in California?
$74,500a year
Median yearly pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators in California. That is $35.82 an hour or $6,208 a month.
- Hourly
- $35.82
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among states
- 8 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 790
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $54,390Median: $74,500Highest 10%: $142,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $54,390 | $26.15 | |
| 25th | $61,240 | $29.44 | |
| Median | $74,500 | $35.82 | |
| 75th | $98,690 | $47.45 | |
| 90th | $142,600 | $68.56 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Sacramento, CA | $143,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $122,400 |
| San Jose, CA | $82,560 |
| Fresno, CA | $74,390 |
| Riverside, CA | $69,240 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $65,260 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $64,400 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators.
| 5. New Mexico | $76,350 |
| 6. Massachusetts | $76,070 |
| 7. Alaska | $74,680 |
| 8. California | $74,500 |
| 9. Montana | $65,850 |
| 10. Connecticut | $65,710 |
| 11. Washington | $64,270 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an excavating and loading machine and dragline operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $35.82 ($74,500 a year).
Do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $74,500 against $57,430 nationally, 30% more.
Where does California rank for excavating and loading machine and dragline operator pay?
California ranks 8 of 49 states.
Which city in California pays excavating and loading machine and dragline operators the most?
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, with a median of $143,000 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.