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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $83,780 +42.7% vs national
Median hourly $40.28
10th percentile $54,320
90th percentile $127,790
Employed locally 530
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 Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $54,320
    25th
    $64,520
    50th (median)
    $83,780
    75th
    $124,280
    90th
    $127,790

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 90% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 10% 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
    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 San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$60,320
    Carpenters$72,440
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$92,830
    Electricians$80,070
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance$57,660
    Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$64,240

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in San Luis Obispo, CA is $40.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.59 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo, CA is 42.7% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $54,320 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $64,520.