Agricultural Equipment Operators Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $41,510 -2.5% vs national
Median hourly $19.96
10th percentile $35,260
90th percentile $54,540
Employed locally 480
National median $42,580

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Agricultural Equipment Operators
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,260
    25th
    $36,590
    50th (median)
    $41,510
    75th
    $46,160
    90th
    $54,540

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$36,720
    First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$50,050
    Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$36,190
    Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$35,270
    Agricultural Workers, All Other$39,630

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Agricultural Equipment Operators make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in Santa Maria, CA is $19.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.88 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Agricultural Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Agricultural Equipment Operators salary in Santa Maria, CA is 2.5% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Agricultural Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $35,260 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,590.