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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$87,160
Median Annual Salary
▼
-2.2% vs 2024
$94,000
Mean Salary
$87,160
Median Salary
$41.90
Hourly Rate
36,020 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California earn a median salary of $87,160 per year ($7,263/month).
This is 36.1% above the national average of $64,047.
California ranks #4 out of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 36,020 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries decreased by 2.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Top Skills
Operation and Control
4.12
Operations Monitoring
3.25
Equipment Maintenance
3.25
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Mechanical
3.56
English Language
3.33
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Mathematics
2.81
Administration and Management
2.78
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
(1.4% of workers)
Salary Range: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California range from $52,760 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $132,210 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $65,230 and $125,560.
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in California?
The median annual salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California is $87,160 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $94,000.
What is the salary range for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California?
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California range from $52,760 at the 10th percentile to $132,210 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $65,230 and $125,560.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California?
Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators positions in California typically start around $52,760 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $65,230 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 36,020 people are employed as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California is approximately $41.90 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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