Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $27.78 an hour ($57,780 a year). About 7,050 people work in this job there.
That is 3% lower than the U.S. median ($59,850). Kentucky ranks 35th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $21.45 | $44,620 |
| 25% of workers | $23.58 | $49,040 |
| Half of workers (median) | $27.78 | $57,780 |
| 75% of workers | $31.59 | $65,720 |
| 90% of workers | $38.89 | $80,890 |
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $61,890 | 1,920 |
| Bowling Green | $60,180 | 300 |
| Paducah | $59,000 | 460 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $58,560 | 760 |
| Elizabethtown | $50,960 | 110 |
| Owensboro | $49,550 | 140 |
Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.6% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 39,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $45,710 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,630 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $59,220 |
| Millwrights | $70,610 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $47,780 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $62,000 |
| Electricians | $59,720 |
| Carpenters | $52,680 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.