verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$87,160/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$41.90/hr
▲ 46% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
36,020
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$78,721 #7 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in California, explained

Heavy equipment operators in California earn a median of $87,160 per year ($41.90 per hour), which is 46% above the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $52,760, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $132,210. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $87,160 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $87,160 is worth about $78,721 in national buying power — ranking California #7 for real pay (vs #4 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$52,760
$25.37/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$87,160
$41.90/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$132,210
$63.56/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $87,160 $78,721
Oregon $73,430 $71,042 +$13,730
Nevada $71,410 $71,425 +$15,750
Arizona $60,620 $60,212 +$26,540

Heavy Equipment Operator in California: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in California?

Heavy equipment operators in California earn a median of $87,160 per year ($41.90 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does California pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $87,160, California pays 46% above the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 36,020 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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