Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Kentucky
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $57,780 a year ($27.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,890 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $59,850. Kentucky ranks 35th of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 3.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 25th percentile | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Median | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| 75th percentile | $65,720 | $31.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| Average (mean) | $59,320 | $28.52 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,407.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,222.31 |
| Weekly | $1,111.15 |
| Hourly | $27.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $66,950 | 3,120 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,890 | 1,920 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $60,180 | 300 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,000 | 460 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $58,560 | 760 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,320 | 1,040 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $50,960 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,910 | 420 |
| Owensboro, KY | $49,550 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Carpenter | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,160 | $30.84 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Roofer | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Glazier | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $50,380 | $24.22 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Kentucky?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Kentucky is $57,780 a year, or $27.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Kentucky earn at least $80,890 a year. The top 25% earn $65,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,620 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $49,040 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Kentucky?
About 7,050 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.