Logging Equipment Operator salary in California
Logging Equipment Operators in California earn a median of $61,940 a year ($29.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,510 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $49,740. California ranks 4th of 36 states for logging equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $74,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| 25th percentile | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Median | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| 75th percentile | $73,470 | $35.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,510 | $60.82 |
| Average (mean) | $74,210 | $35.68 |
Half of logging equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,161.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,580.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,382.31 |
| Weekly | $1,191.15 |
| Hourly | $29.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Logging Equipment Operator salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Redding, CA | $60,600 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for logging equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $75,140 |
| Illinois | $71,100 |
| Texas | $62,890 |
| California | $61,940 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Louisiana | $58,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 |
| Montana | $56,530 |
| Idaho | $56,490 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $56,670 | $27.24 |
| Logging Workers, All Other | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Faller | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,640 | $18.58 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $53,090 | $25.52 |
| Animal Breeder | $59,280 | $28.50 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-4022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a logging equipment operator make in California?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in California is $61,940 a year, or $29.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in California?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in California earn at least $126,510 a year. The top 25% earn $73,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,370 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $60,890 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in California?
About 950 logging equipment operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.