As of February 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Lathe Operator in California is $68,884, equivalent to $33 per hour, $1,325 weekly, or $5,740 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Lathe Operator in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Lathe Operator in California vary widely, spanning from $54,668 to $78,587. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($61,443) and 75th percentile ($73,963), while top earners (90th percentile) make $78,587 per year. This $12,520 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Troubleshooting or Injection Molding, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California Lathe Operator often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 81 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for Lathe Operator job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
