Operating Engineers (Heavy Equipment) Salary in California
Median Annual Salary
$89,120
$42.85/hr
Salary Range
$54,730 – $131,200
10th – 90th percentile
Employed
36,040
workers statewide
10-Yr Growth
+4.1%
About average
COL-Adjusted
$78,728
real purchasing power
51.8% above the national median ($58,710)
Salary by Percentile
Annual salary distribution from entry-level to top earners
$54,730 (entry)$89,120 (median)$131,200 (top)
Salary Trend
Median salary, 2019–2024
+10.9%
$5,095 total
Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $117,350 | 4,560 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $115,500 | 1,350 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $98,830 | 640 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $93,220 | 8,430 |
| Vallejo | $91,590 | 530 |
| Modesto | $87,030 | 470 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $83,780 | 530 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $82,740 | 2,810 |
| Napa | $82,450 | 210 |
| Fresno | $82,020 | 1,320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $81,330 | 2,940 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $80,960 | 800 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $79,410 | 420 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $79,150 | 4,750 |
| Salinas | $79,030 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $78,670 | 770 |
| Redding | $77,570 | 400 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $77,250 | 1,010 |
| Chico | $76,980 | 240 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $75,700 | 110 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $74,430 | 190 |
| Merced | $72,920 | 140 |
| Yuba City | $68,630 | 200 |
| El Centro | $64,330 | 220 |
| Visalia | $59,730 | 260 |
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Compare Operating Engineers (Heavy Equipment) with
Other Heavy-equipment Trades
Salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (2024 OEWS). Cost of living based on BEA Regional Price Parities. For informational purposes only.