Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA make a median of $80,960 a year, or about $38.92 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.53), so that salary is closer to $73,247 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,693/month — about 53% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $129K or more - a $78K 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The median is $80,960 a year - that works out to about $38.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,890, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $128,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,140/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,693/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.4% 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura?
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura has a Regional Price Parity of 110.53 (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 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary is worth about $73,247 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.