Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $115,500 a year, or about $55.53 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $104,601 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 49% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $116K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $116K.Top earners bring in $154K or more - a $91K 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $115,500 a year - that works out to about $55.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,860, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $154,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $116K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,897/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 50.5% 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 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $104,601 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.