Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators Salary in California
Also called: Excavating Machine Operators, Surface Mining
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators in California earn a median of $74,500 a year, +30% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $74,500
- vs. U.S. median
- +30% ($57,430)
- Rank among states
- 8 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 790
Pay range in California
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $54,390; the top 10% earn over $142,600. Nationally the range is $41,600 to $82,400.
States ranked near California
Similar jobs in California
- Pile Driver Operators$110,340 median in California
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$87,160 median in California
- Crane and Tower Operators$79,570 median in California
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons$77,220 median in California
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas$55,480 median in California
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas$66,910 median in California
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators pay in California
How much do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators make in California?
The median is $74,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $54,390 and the top 10% earn over $142,600. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is California a good state for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators?
On pay alone it ranks 8 of 49 (+30% vs. the national median of $57,430). Living costs are not included.