California ranks 3rd of 51 states and D.C. for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($105,440) by $16,320 — a 18% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $54,730 to $131,200 — a $76,470 spread, 26% wider than the national $60,610 range.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.66 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.52× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $54,730 | $26.31 |
| 25th percentile | $65,840 | $31.66 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,120 | $42.85 |
| 75th percentile | $122,570 | $58.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,200 | $63.08 |
| Mean (average) | $93,680 | $45.04 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $89,120 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $105,440 | +18% |
| Illinois | $96,980 | +9% |
| New Jersey | $84,170 | -6% |
| New York | $80,260 | -10% |
| Washington | $79,190 | -11% |
| Minnesota | $78,580 | -12% |
| Connecticut | $76,690 | -14% |
| Rhode Island | $76,030 | -15% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $89,010 | 34,370 |
| Credit Analysts | $88,360 | 6,400 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $89,880 | 51,520 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $87,940 | 13,640 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $90,530 | 17,920 |
| Editors | $90,570 | 14,920 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in California?
The mean operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in California is $93,680 per year. The median (middle) salary is $89,120 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California?
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $54,730 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $65,840 per year.
What is the highest Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $131,200 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $122,570 per year.
How does the California Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary compare to the national average?
The median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in California is $89,120, which is +52% above national average of $58,710.