SOC 47-2073 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — Fresno
Fresno, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Fresno, CA is $78,310 per year, well above the national median of $59,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Fresno, CA is $78,310 per year, well above the national median of $59,850. The gap of 30.8% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $61,460 and $124,150. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $50,070 and the ninetieth at $127,150.
The area has 1,290 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.7 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $124,750. Of the 527 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 174th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,070 | −16.3% |
| 25th | $61,460 | +2.7% |
| Median (50th) | $78,310 | +30.8% |
| 75th | $124,150 | +107.4% |
| 90th | $127,150 | +112.4% |
| Mean | $89,160 | +49.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $124,750 | 4,080 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $124,340 | 1,360 | |
| 3 | Santa Rosa | $105,080 | 710 | |
| 4 | Vallejo | $95,100 | 630 | |
| 5 | Los Angeles | $92,890 | 8,780 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $91,650 | 2,920 | |
| 7 | Modesto | $90,560 | 430 | |
| 8 | Napa | $90,060 | 160 | |
| 9 | San Diego | $83,670 | 3,130 | |
| 10 | Oxnard | $83,290 | 780 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fresno run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $78,310 buys what $70,741 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 18.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$70,741US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,310 a year, 30.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,070 to $127,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $124,750.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Fresno, CA?
The median annual wage is $78,310, or $37.65 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,850, so pay in Fresno, CA is 30.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Fresno, CA earns more than $127,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,070 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $124,750 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,290 jobs in this occupation in Fresno, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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