Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Knoxville, TN
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $48,690 a year ($23.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,520 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $52,000. There are 2.9 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| 25th percentile | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Median | $48,690 | $23.41 |
| 75th percentile | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Average (mean) | $53,450 | $25.70 |
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 | $4,057.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,028.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,872.69 |
| Weekly | $936.35 |
| Hourly | $23.41 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $56,030 | 3,820 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,960 | 770 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,870 | 1,140 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,910 | 420 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,320 | 750 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,210 | 160 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,170 | 220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,560 | 200 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,240 | 270 |
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 or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Electrician | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Carpenter | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Roofer | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,420 | $19.44 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Glazier | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $64,090 | $30.81 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $48,690 a year, or $23.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $78,520 a year. The top 25% earn $57,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,790 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $44,130 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Knoxville, TN?
About 1,210 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.