Tennessee Median
$52,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#39 of 51
10,660 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Tennessee?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee take home a median of $52,000 annually — roughly $25.00 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $59,850.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $41,600 while the top 10% make $75,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,490 and $59,360 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,490 | $22.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,360 | $28.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,430 | $36.26 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660California $87,160Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280District of Columbia $74,610Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330South Dakota $59,500Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140New Mexico $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($52,000) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Tennessee?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Tennessee is $52,000 per year, or about $25.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,600 at the entry level to $75,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 13% less than the national median of $59,850. Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,000 a year. About 10,660 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.