Agricultural Equipment Operators Salary in Salinas, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salinas, CA

Median annual salary $40,600 -4.7% vs national
Median hourly $19.52
10th percentile $36,880
90th percentile $52,170
Employed locally 730
National median $42,580

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Agricultural Equipment Operators
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,880
    25th
    $38,010
    50th (median)
    $40,600
    75th
    $46,820
    90th
    $52,170

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Agricultural Equipment Operators salary vs area income 43% Median Agricultural Equipment Operators salary is 57% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Agricultural Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area $61,580
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $54,380
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $54,020
    Montana $53,900
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $53,510
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $52,870

    Nearby metros — Agricultural Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $54,020
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $49,160
    Napa, CA $48,710
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $48,440
    Decatur, IL $47,030
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $45,030

    Related occupations in Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$37,380
    First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$59,180
    Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$36,590
    Agricultural Workers, All Other$38,320
    Forest and Conservation Workers$43,680
    Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$44,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Agricultural Equipment Operators make per hour in Salinas?

    The median hourly wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Salinas, CA is $19.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.02 or more per hour.

    Is Salinas above or below average for Agricultural Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Agricultural Equipment Operators salary in Salinas, CA is 4.7% below the national median of $42,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Salinas?

    Entry-level Agricultural Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,880 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,010.