How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in California?
$87,160a year
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in California. That is $41.90 an hour or $7,263 a month.
- Hourly
- $41.90
- Vs. national median
- +46%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 36,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,760Median: $87,160Highest 10%: $132,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,760 | $25.37 | |
| 25th | $65,230 | $31.36 | |
| Median | $87,160 | $41.90 | |
| 75th | $125,600 | $60.37 | |
| 90th | $132,200 | $63.56 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $124,800 |
| San Jose, CA | $124,300 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $105,100 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $92,890 |
| Sacramento, CA | $91,650 |
| Modesto, CA | $90,560 |
| Napa, CA | $90,060 |
| San Diego, CA | $83,670 |
| Oxnard, CA | $83,290 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $81,500 |
| Yuba City, CA | $80,620 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,320 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $79,340 |
| Chico, CA | $79,040 |
| Riverside, CA | $78,720 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,310 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $77,960 |
| Stockton, CA | $77,420 |
| Redding, CA | $77,090 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $75,640 |
| Merced, CA | $74,800 |
| El Centro, CA | $70,830 |
| Hanford, CA | $63,050 |
| Visalia, CA | $60,530 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| 1. Hawaii | $115,900 |
| 2. Illinois | $97,740 |
| 3. New Jersey | $89,660 |
| 4. California | $87,160 |
| 5. Washington | $81,700 |
| 6. New York | $80,980 |
| 7. Indiana | $79,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $41.90 ($87,160 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $87,160 against $59,850 nationally, 46% more.
Where does California rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
California ranks 4 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays operating engineer and other construction equipment operators the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $124,800 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.