Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Fresno, CA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Fresno, CA metro area earn a median of $78,310 a year ($37.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,150 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 10% lower than the California statewide median of $87,160. There are 2.7 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Fresno, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| 25th percentile | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Median | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| 75th percentile | $124,150 | $59.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,150 | $61.13 |
| Average (mean) | $89,160 | $42.86 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction 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 | $6,525.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,262.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,011.92 |
| Weekly | $1,505.96 |
| Hourly | $37.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $124,750 | 4,080 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $124,340 | 1,360 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $105,080 | 710 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,100 | 630 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $92,890 | 8,780 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $91,650 | 2,920 |
| Modesto, CA | $90,560 | 430 |
| Napa, CA | $90,060 | 160 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,670 | 3,130 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,290 | 780 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $81,500 | 400 |
| Yuba City, CA | $80,620 | 230 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,320 | 340 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $79,340 | 530 |
| Chico, CA | $79,040 | 230 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,720 | 4,740 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $77,960 | 1,000 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,420 | 760 |
| Redding, CA | $77,090 | 340 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $75,640 | 130 |
| Merced, CA | $74,800 | 160 |
| El Centro, CA | $70,830 | 240 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $63,050 | 100 |
| Visalia, CA | $60,530 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fresno, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| Electrician | $71,710 | $34.48 |
| Carpenter | $63,470 | $30.52 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $52,700 | $25.34 |
| Roofer | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $54,310 | $26.11 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $80,110 | $38.51 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $69,050 | $33.20 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Fresno, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. 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 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Fresno, CA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Fresno, CA metro area is $78,310 a year, or $37.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Fresno, CA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Fresno, CA metro area earn at least $127,150 a year. The top 25% earn $124,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Fresno, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,070 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $61,460 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Fresno, CA?
About 1,290 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Fresno, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.