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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$52,000
Median Annual Salary
▲
+6.0% vs 2024
$55,050
Mean Salary
$52,000
Median Salary
$25.00
Hourly Rate
10,660 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee earn a median salary of $52,000 per year ($4,333/month).
This is 18.8% below the national average of $64,047.
Tennessee ranks #38 out of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 10,660 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries increased by 6.0% 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 Tennessee
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee range from $41,600 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $75,430 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $46,490 and $59,360.
Median $52,000
P10: $41,600P25: $46,490P75: $59,360P90: $75,430
10th
$41,600
25th
$46,490
Median
$52,000
75th
$59,360
90th
$75,430
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$41,600
$20.00
$3,466
25th Percentile
$46,490
$22.35
$3,874
Median (50th)
$52,000
$25.00
$4,333
75th Percentile
$59,360
$28.54
$4,946
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$75,430
$36.26
$6,285
Note: The mean (average) salary of $55,050 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#38
Tennessee ranks #38 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 Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee is $52,000 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $55,050.
What is the salary range for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee range from $41,600 at the 10th percentile to $75,430 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $46,490 and $59,360.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators positions in Tennessee typically start around $41,600 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $46,490 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 10,660 people are employed as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee is approximately $25.00 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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