Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in California
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California earn a median annual wage of $87,160 —45.6% above the national median of $59,850. That ranks CA #4 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.64× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $115,860 | $55.70 | 2,380 | 1.23 |
| 2 | Illinois | $97,740 | $46.99 | 12,290 | 0.66 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $89,660 | $43.11 | 5,980 | 0.45 |
| 4 | California | $87,160 | $41.90 | 36,020 | 0.64 |
| 5 | Washington | $81,700 | $39.28 | 10,290 | 0.94 |
| 6 | New York | $80,980 | $38.94 | 14,490 | 0.49 |
| 7 | Indiana | $79,580 | $38.26 | 11,520 | 1.17 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $79,130 | $38.04 | 8,590 | 0.95 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $78,750 | $37.86 | 2,860 | 0.55 |
| 10 | Alaska | $77,810 | $37.41 | 3,050 | 3.05 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $60,270 | $47,120 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $79,920 |
| Electricians | $76,160 | $63,190 |
| Carpenters | $75,920 | $60,580 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $63,800 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $49,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in California?
The median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in California is $87,160, or $41.90 per hour. That is 45.6% above the national median of $59,850.
What is the entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $52,760 per year ($25.37/hour). The 25th percentile is $65,230.
How many people work as operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in California?
About 36,020 people work in this occupation in California, or 2.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?
California ranks #4 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.64x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $115,860 per year, followed by Illinois ($97,740) and New Jersey ($89,660).