Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in California
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California make a median of $89,120 a year, or about $42.85 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $89K get you in California?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K.Top earners bring in $131K or more - a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $105K | +80% | 1,740 |
| Illinois | $97K | +65% | 11,690 |
| California | $89K | +52% | 36,040 |
| New Jersey | $84K | +43% | 6,450 |
| New York | $80K | +37% | 14,700 |
| Washington | $79K | +35% | 9,070 |
| Minnesota | $79K | +34% | 8,290 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +31% | 2,810 |
| Rhode Island | $76K | +30% | 850 |
| Alaska | $75K | +28% | 3,170 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +24% | 10,360 |
| Nevada | $73K | +24% | 5,760 |
| Wisconsin | $73K | +24% | 8,320 |
| Indiana | $72K | +23% | 11,230 |
| District of Columbia | $69K | +18% | 560 |
Track operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in California?
The median is $89,120 a year - that works out to about $42.85 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,730, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $131,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,555/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 39.6% 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 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary is worth about $89,120 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do operating engineers and other construction 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.