Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara

In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA), the median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $59.78 an hour ($124,340 a year). About 1,360 people work in this job there.

$59.78Median hourly pay
$79,470–$130,150Middle half of workers, yearly
1,360People in this job in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)

That is 108% higher than the U.S. median ($59,850). It is 43% higher than the California median ($87,160).

Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$29.17$60,680
25% of workers$38.21$79,470
Half of workers (median)$59.78$124,340
75% of workers$62.57$130,150
90% of workers$73.44$152,760

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$124,7504,080
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (this page)$124,3401,360
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$105,080710
Vallejo$95,100630
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$92,8908,780
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$91,6502,920
Modesto$90,560430
Napa$90,060160
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$83,6703,130
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$83,290780
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$81,500400
Yuba City$80,620230
Salinas$80,320340
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$79,340530
Chico$79,040230
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$78,7204,740
Fresno$78,3101,290
Bakersfield-Delano$77,9601,000
Stockton-Lodi$77,420760
Redding$77,090340
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$75,640130
Merced$74,800160
El Centro$70,830240
Hanford-Corcoran$63,050100
Visalia$60,530260

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +4.6% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 39,200 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Construction Laborers$68,470
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$54,440
Electricians$91,030
Carpenters$80,190
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$107,560
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$61,970
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$79,430
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$75,520

Other job titles for this job

Construction EngineerCable EngineerExcavatorMachine OperatorHeater Planer OperatorAngle Dozer OperatorBack Hoe OperatorBlade Grader OperatorBlade OperatorBulldozer EngineerBulldozer OperatorBush Hog Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.