Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators · Tennessee

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Tennessee

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $52,000 —13.1% below the national median of $59,850. That ranks TN #38 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$52,000
Median hourly
$25.00
Entry level (P10)
$41,600
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$75,430
90th percentile
Employment
10,660
3.3 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-13.1%
U.S. $59,850

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$41,600
$46,490
$52,000
$59,360
$41,600$52,000$75,430
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $52,000.

Employment concentration (1.06×) is close to the national average.

Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Hawaii$115,860$55.702,3801.23
2Illinois$97,740$46.9912,2900.66
3New Jersey$89,660$43.115,9800.45
4California$87,160$41.9036,0200.64
5Washington$81,700$39.2810,2900.94
6New York$80,980$38.9414,4900.49
7Indiana$79,580$38.2611,5201.17
8Minnesota$79,130$38.048,5900.95
9Connecticut$78,750$37.862,8600.55
10Alaska$77,810$37.413,0503.05

Related occupations in Tennessee

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.

Frequently asked questions

How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Tennessee is $52,000, or $25.00 per hour. That is 13.1% below the national median of $59,850.

What is the entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Tennessee?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $41,600 per year ($20.00/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,490.

How many people work as operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Tennessee?

About 10,660 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 3.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Tennessee a good state for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators?

Tennessee ranks #38 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.06x) is close to the national average.

Which state pays operating engineers and other construction equipment operators the most?

Hawaii has the highest median wage at $115,860 per year, followed by Illinois ($97,740) and New Jersey ($89,660).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes