Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,600
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,490
- 50th Percentile — Median$52,000
- 75th Percentile — Senior$59,360
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$75,430
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Tennessee earn more than $52,000. The top 10% make $75,430 or more, while entry-level workers start around $41,600.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $55,050 per year (17.0% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 10,660 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Tennessee — 2.2% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.06: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,600; the top 10% earn over $75,430.
- Hourly equivalent: $26.47 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in Tennessee, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($76,830).
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $55,050 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $55,050 is roughly equivalent to $62,557 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nebraska ($58,240), Maine ($58,230), Kansas ($57,540) are the closest alternatives for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $76,830/yr Tennessee +39.6% vs this role
- Carpet Installers $66,250/yr Tennessee +20.3% vs this role
- Electricians $63,540/yr Tennessee +15.4% vs this role
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons $63,280/yr Tennessee +15.0% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $61,410/yr Tennessee +11.6% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $60,500/yr Tennessee +9.9% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $59,390/yr Tennessee +7.9% vs this role
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers $58,820/yr Tennessee +6.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Tennessee?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Tennessee is $55,050 per year (median $52,000), which is 17.0% below the national average of $66,290.
How does Tennessee rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($102,020/yr).
How much do entry-level Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in Tennessee earn about $41,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,490.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in Tennessee?
About $26.47 per hour, based on the $55,050 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 10,660 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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