How Much Do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Make in California?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California earns $87,160 per year and takes home $66,271 ($5,523/month) — a keep-rate of 76%, with 36,020 employed in the state.
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| Gross pay | $7,263.33 |
| Federal income tax | $862.09 |
| Social Security | $450.33 |
| Medicare | $105.32 |
| California state income tax | $323.03 |
| You keep | $5,522.57 |
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in California?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in California earns $87,160 per year (BLS May 2025), about $41.90 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$87,160 gross in California keeps $66,271 after federal income tax ($10,345), FICA ($6,668) and state income tax ($3,876) — $5,523 per month, a 76% keep-rate.
How does California compare to the national median for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
The California median is $27,310 above the national median of $59,850.
Which state pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest median gross for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators at $115,860 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in every state · California paycheck calculator · California minimum wage