Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Central Kentucky

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $50,540 -13.9% vs national
Median hourly $24.30
10th percentile $40,570
90th percentile $78,940
Employed locally 980
National median $58,710

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Central Kentucky
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,570
    25th
    $46,600
    50th (median)
    $50,540
    75th
    $63,700
    90th
    $78,940

    Top-paying metros for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,350
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $115,500
    Urban Honolulu, HI $109,740
    Hawaii $105,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $101,200
    Springfield, IL $99,950

    Related occupations in Central Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $42,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $64,980
    Electricians $51,540
    Carpenters $48,010
    Highway Maintenance Workers $35,740
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $54,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in Central Kentucky?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Central Kentucky is $24.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.51 or more per hour.

    Is Central Kentucky above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Central Kentucky is 13.9% below the national median of $58,710. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Central Kentucky?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $40,570 per year in Central Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,600.