Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $25.00 an hour ($52,000 a year). About 10,660 people work in this job there.
That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($59,850). Tennessee ranks 39th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| 25% of workers | $22.35 | $46,490 |
| Half of workers (median) | $25.00 | $52,000 |
| 75% of workers | $28.54 | $59,360 |
| 90% of workers | $36.27 | $75,430 |
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $56,030 | 3,820 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $55,960 | 770 |
| Memphis | $53,870 | 1,140 |
| Clarksville | $50,910 | 420 |
| Chattanooga | $50,320 | 750 |
| Knoxville | $48,690 | 1,210 |
| Cleveland | $48,210 | 160 |
| Morristown | $48,170 | 220 |
| Johnson City | $47,560 | 200 |
| Jackson | $47,240 | 270 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Construction Laborers | $45,000 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $61,880 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $42,510 |
| Millwrights | $61,810 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $59,410 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $49,500 |
| Electricians | $61,090 |
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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.