Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin

In Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN), the median pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators is $26.94 an hour ($56,030 a year). About 3,820 people work in this job there.

$26.94Median hourly pay
$49,470–$60,560Middle half of workers, yearly
3,820People in this job in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($59,850). It is 8% higher than the Tennessee median ($52,000).

Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$22.42$46,630
25% of workers$23.79$49,470
Half of workers (median)$26.94$56,030
75% of workers$29.11$60,560
90% of workers$35.53$73,900

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (this page)$56,0303,820
Kingsport-Bristol$55,960770
Memphis$53,8701,140
Clarksville$50,910420
Chattanooga$50,320750
Knoxville$48,6901,210
Cleveland$48,210160
Morristown$48,170220
Johnson City$47,560200
Jackson$47,240270

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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

JobMedian yearly pay
Construction Laborers$46,190
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$44,600
Electricians$63,340
Carpenters$55,770
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$60,100
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$48,810

Other job titles for this job

Construction EngineerCable EngineerExcavatorMachine OperatorHeater Planer OperatorAngle Dozer OperatorBack Hoe OperatorBlade Grader OperatorBlade OperatorBulldozer EngineerBulldozer OperatorBush Hog Operator

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Source: 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.