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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Kentucky
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Kentucky?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$57,780
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.3% vs 2024
$59,320
Mean Salary
$57,780
Median Salary
$27.78
Hourly Rate
7,050 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by percentile in Kentucky
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky earn a median salary of $57,780 per year ($4,815/month).
This is 9.8% below the national average of $64,047.
Kentucky ranks #35 out of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 7,050 people work in this occupation across Kentucky.
Salaries increased by 1.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Top Skills
Operation and Control
4.12
Operations Monitoring
3.25
Equipment Maintenance
3.25
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Mechanical
3.56
English Language
3.33
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Mathematics
2.81
Administration and Management
2.78
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
(1.4% of workers)
Salary Range: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky range from $44,620 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $80,890 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $49,040 and $65,720.
Median $57,780
P10: $44,620P25: $49,040P75: $65,720P90: $80,890
10th
$44,620
25th
$49,040
Median
$57,780
75th
$65,720
90th
$80,890
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$44,620
$21.45
$3,718
25th Percentile
$49,040
$23.58
$4,086
Median (50th)
$57,780
$27.78
$4,815
75th Percentile
$65,720
$31.60
$5,476
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$80,890
$38.89
$6,740
Note: The mean (average) salary of $59,320 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#35
Kentucky ranks #35 of 51 states
$64,047
National avg. for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Kentucky?
The median annual salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky is $57,780 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $59,320.
What is the salary range for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky?
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky range from $44,620 at the 10th percentile to $80,890 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $49,040 and $65,720.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators positions in Kentucky typically start around $44,620 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $49,040 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 7,050 people are employed as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky is approximately $27.78 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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