Agricultural Equipment Operators Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a agricultural equipment operators in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $41,510/year ($19.96/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $55K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $38,153 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 109% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $42K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Maria-Santa Barbara’s Regional Price Parity (108.8). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About agricultural equipment operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level agricultural equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K. Top earners bring in $55K or more, a $19K spread from bottom to top.
Agricultural Equipment Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $54K | +27% | 80 |
| New York | $51K | +20% | 130 |
| Delaware | $50K | +18% | 60 |
| Ohio | $49K | +15% | 970 |
| Indiana | $49K | +15% | 830 |
| Iowa | $49K | +14% | 1,710 |
| Minnesota | $48K | +14% | 780 |
| North Dakota | $48K | +12% | 300 |
| Wisconsin | $48K | +12% | 670 |
| Maine | $48K | +12% | 40 |
| Illinois | $47K | +10% | 2,310 |
| New Jersey | $47K | +10% | N/A |
| Missouri | $47K | +9% | 1,080 |
| South Dakota | $46K | +8% | 230 |
| Virginia | $46K | +7% | 200 |
| Nebraska | $46K | +7% | 1,070 |
| Kentucky | $45K | +5% | 230 |
| Idaho | $45K | +5% | 350 |
| Kansas | $45K | +5% | 890 |
| Michigan | $43K | +0% | 670 |
| South Carolina | $43K | +0% | 190 |
| Utah | $42K | -1% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $42K | -2% | 450 |
| Maryland | $41K | -3% | 330 |
| North Carolina | $40K | -5% | 570 |
| California | $40K | -6% | 8,480 |
| Washington | $40K | -6% | 860 |
| Tennessee | $40K | -6% | 550 |
| Oregon | $40K | -7% | 330 |
| Hawaii | $39K | -7% | 70 |
| Massachusetts | $39K | -8% | 60 |
| Vermont | $37K | -14% | 50 |
| Florida | $36K | -17% | 920 |
| New Mexico | $35K | -17% | 190 |
| Georgia | $35K | -18% | 890 |
| Oklahoma | $34K | -19% | 210 |
| Arizona | $34K | -20% | 1,020 |
| Mississippi | $31K | -28% | 400 |
| Arkansas | $30K | -29% | 670 |
| Texas | $30K | -30% | 1,480 |
| Alabama | $29K | -31% | 280 |
Showing 1–10 of 41 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track agricultural equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do agricultural equipment operators make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $41,510 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,260, and experienced agricultural equipment operators can clear $54,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,879/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month, which eats 108.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a agricultural equipment operators salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median agricultural equipment operators salary is worth about $38,153 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do agricultural equipment operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.