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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Heavy Machine Operator in California is $50,895 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.
However, a Heavy Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Heavy Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $55,950 | $4,662 | $1,076 | $27 |
| Average | $50,895 | $4,241 | $979 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,461 | $3,788 | $874 | $22 |
Aguinaga Green Inc - Silverado, CA
Cascade Custom Cutting Inc. - Weed, CA
Schuff Steel - Stockton, CA
RJ's Construction Supplies - Los Angeles, CA
A Heavy Machine Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Heavy Machine Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $46,136 |
| Heavy Mac... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $51,272 |
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $58,176 |
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $62,513 |
| Machine O... Level Heavy Machine Operator | $90,825 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Heavy Machine Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Heavy Machine Operator roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Media and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Heavy Machine Operator positions in MFG Durable or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Heavy Machine Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | $66,164 | $32.0 | 30% |
| Insurance | $63,619 | $31.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $61,074 | $29.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $58,529 | $28.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $55,985 | $27.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Heavy Machine Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $55,950 | $4,662 | $1,076 | $27 |
| Average | $50,895 | $4,241 | $979 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,461 | $3,788 | $874 | $22 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Heavy Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
RJ's Construction Supplies
Inglewood, CA
RJ's Construction Supplies | Inglewood, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. We are seeking a skilled. Operator. to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong mechani... more
9 Days Ago
Schuff Steel
Stockton, CA
Schuff Steel | Stockton, CA
Heavy Machine Operator (C). Stockton-Shop - Stockton, CA 95206. Overview. Salary Range $20.00 - $21.00 Hourly Level Experienced Position Type Full Time Edu... more
10 Days Ago
Essel
Salinas, CA
Essel | Salinas, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. Our client is seeking an experienced Underground Heavy Equipment Operator to support underground utility cle... more
8 Days Ago
Essel Environmental
Salinas, CA
Essel Environmental | Salinas, CA
Underground Heavy Equipment Operator. Our client is seeking an experienced Underground Heavy Equipment Operator to support underground utility cleanup, exc... more
9 Days Ago
Trinidad Benham
City Of Industry, CA
Trinidad Benham | City Of Industry, CA
Machine Operator - Pouch Machine. Trinidad Benham Corp has been in business for over 100 years, and we know a thing or two about providing stable employmen... more
7 Days Ago
Marmon Holdings, Inc.
Anaheim, CA
Marmon Holdings, Inc. | Anaheim, CA
Job Opportunity At Nylok LLC. As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdingswhich is backed by Berkshire Hathawayyou'll be doing things th... more
6 Days Ago
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