Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in El Centro, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • El Centro, CA

Median annual salary $64,330 +9.6% vs national
Median hourly $30.93
10th percentile $45,770
90th percentile $82,260
Employed locally 220
National median $58,710

Compare Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary & buying power

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
El Centro, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,770
    25th
    $50,040
    50th (median)
    $64,330
    75th
    $78,410
    90th
    $82,260

    El Centro economic context

    Unemployment rate 18.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,393 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 114% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 14% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    Urban Honolulu, HI $109,740
    Hawaii $105,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Springfield, IL $99,950

    Nearby metros — Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $98,830
    Decatur, IL $96,700
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $93,220

    Related occupations in El Centro, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$50,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$83,060
    Electricians$75,580
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$62,550
    Carpenters$71,800
    Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$78,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in El Centro?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in El Centro, CA is $30.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $58.91 or more per hour.

    Is El Centro above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in El Centro, CA is 9.6% above the national median of $58,710. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in El Centro?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,770 per year in El Centro, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,040.