Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median heavy equipment operator in the San Diego area earns $83,670 a year ($40.23 an hour), 40% above the U.S. median ($59,850) and 4% below the California median ($87,160). Half of the 3,130 heavy equipment operators there earn between $68,810 and $125,700.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,520 | $52,760 | $42,190 |
| 25th percentile | $68,810 | $65,230 | $48,680 |
| Median | $83,670 | $87,160 | $59,850 |
| 75th percentile | $125,700 | $125,560 | $77,170 |
| 90th percentile | $136,080 | $132,210 | $101,090 |
| Average | $94,160 | $94,000 | $66,290 |
| Jobs | 3,130 | 36,020 | 478,090 |
San Diego, CA ranks 8th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for heavy equipment operator pay. Highest: San Francisco, CA ($124,750).
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Check my payHeavy equipment operator pay in other cities
- San Francisco, CA: $124,750
- San Jose, CA: $124,340
- Los Angeles, CA: $92,890
- Chicago, IL: $103,100
- Seattle, WA: $95,750
- New York, NY: $95,050
- Minneapolis, MN: $83,340
- St. Louis, MO: $82,270
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Construction Laborer: $57,180
- Electrician: $76,160
- Carpenter: $73,200
- Plumber: $72,510
- Construction Supervisor: $95,850
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.