Pile Driver Operator salary in California
Pile Driver Operators in California earn a median of $110,340 a year ($53.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,780 for the top 10%. That is 51% higher than the national median of $73,300. California ranks 3rd of 11 states for pile driver operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.03 pile driver operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,410, close to the median.
Pay range for pile driver operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,630 | $34.44 |
| 25th percentile | $94,890 | $45.62 |
| Median | $110,340 | $53.05 |
| 75th percentile | $128,380 | $61.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,780 | $65.28 |
| Average (mean) | $109,410 | $52.60 |
Half of pile driver 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 | $9,195 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,597.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,243.85 |
| Weekly | $2,121.92 |
| Hourly | $53.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pile Driver Operator salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $132,850 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $124,670 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $106,660 | 130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $104,870 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for pile driver operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,980 |
| Washington | $111,080 |
| California | $110,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,550 |
| Alaska | $78,080 |
| Texas | $66,140 |
| Louisiana | $61,150 |
| Virginia | $59,910 |
| Tennessee | $54,830 |
| Florida | $51,830 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2072. 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 pile driver operator make in California?
The median salary for pile driver operators in California is $110,340 a year, or $53.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pile driver operators make in California?
The top 10% of pile driver operators in California earn at least $135,780 a year. The top 25% earn $128,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for pile driver operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,630 a year, and a quarter of pile driver operators earn $94,890 or less.
How many pile driver operators work in California?
About 480 pile driver operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.