How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Santa Maria?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $39.18 an hour or $6,792 a month.
- Hourly
- $39.18
- Vs. national median
- +36%
- Rank among cities
- 42 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,560 | $25.27 | |
| 25th | $65,270 | $31.38 | |
| Median | $81,500 | $39.18 | |
| 75th | $113,100 | $54.36 | |
| 90th | $131,100 | $63.01 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Construction and Building Inspector | $112,600 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $89,190 |
| Electrician | $75,290 |
| Carpenter | $75,140 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $70,420 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $66,550 |
| Glazier | $66,520 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer | $64,370 |
| Helpers--Pipelayer | $63,210 |
| Taper | $61,870 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $39.18 ($81,500 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $81,500 against $59,850 nationally, 36% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $87,160, so Santa Maria pays 6% less.
Where does Santa Maria rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
42 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,560 or less a year; the top 10% make $131,100 or more.
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.