Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $115,500 +96.7% vs national
Median hourly $55.53
10th percentile $62,860
90th percentile $154,040
Employed locally 1,350
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
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,860
    25th
    $80,710
    50th (median)
    $115,500
    75th
    $135,350
    90th
    $154,040

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 73% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 27% below 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
    Urban Honolulu, HI $109,740
    Hawaii $105,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Springfield, IL $99,950
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $98,830

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

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    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
    Vallejo, CA $91,590

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electricians $95,020
    Carpenters $78,090
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $126,570
    Construction Laborers $71,820
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $59,240
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $90,220

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in San Jose, CA is $55.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.44 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in San Jose, CA is 96.7% 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 San Jose?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $62,860 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,710.