How much does a motor vehicle operator make in California?
$45,050a year
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators in California. That is $21.66 an hour or $3,754 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.66
- Vs. national median
- +21%
- Rank among states
- 16 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 3,580
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,620Median: $45,050Highest 10%: $76,360
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,620 | $17.61 | |
| 25th | $38,260 | $18.39 | |
| Median | $45,050 | $21.66 | |
| 75th | $61,810 | $29.72 | |
| 90th | $76,360 | $36.71 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Vallejo, CA | $73,280 |
| Salinas, CA | $71,140 |
| Stockton, CA | $62,460 |
| San Francisco, CA | $50,140 |
| San Jose, CA | $48,230 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $47,870 |
| San Diego, CA | $47,770 |
| Visalia, CA | $45,290 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $44,180 |
| Sacramento, CA | $43,730 |
| Fresno, CA | $42,420 |
| Riverside, CA | $42,150 |
| Oxnard, CA | $41,360 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $39,760 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for motor vehicle operators.
| 13. Wyoming | $48,530 |
| 14. Iowa | $48,300 |
| 15. Mississippi | $46,500 |
| 16. California | $45,050 |
| 17. Illinois | $44,810 |
| 18. Rhode Island | $42,530 |
| 19. Montana | $41,860 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a motor vehicle operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $21.66 ($45,050 a year).
Do motor vehicle operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $45,050 against $37,180 nationally, 21% more.
Where does California rank for motor vehicle operator pay?
California ranks 16 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays motor vehicle operators the most?
Vallejo, CA, with a median of $73,280 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.