Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Modesto, CA
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $90,560 a year ($43.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,850 for the top 10%. That is 51% higher than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 4% higher than the California statewide median of $87,160. There are 2.2 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $95,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| 25th percentile | $67,740 | $32.57 |
| Median | $90,560 | $43.54 |
| 75th percentile | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Average (mean) | $95,910 | $46.11 |
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 | $7,546.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,773.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,483.08 |
| Weekly | $1,741.54 |
| Hourly | $43.54 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,310 | 1,290 |
| 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 Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Electrician | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $76,500 | $36.78 |
| Roofer | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $50,970 | $24.50 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Glazier | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $47,170 | $22.68 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Modesto, CA metro area is $90,560 a year, or $43.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $131,850 a year. The top 25% earn $129,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,020 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $67,740 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Modesto, CA?
About 430 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.