Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $47,950 -18.3% vs national
Median hourly $23.06
10th percentile $36,620
90th percentile $70,440
Employed locally 680
National median $58,710

Compare Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary & buying power

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Chattanooga, TN-GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,620
    25th
    $43,470
    50th (median)
    $47,950
    75th
    $57,430
    90th
    $70,440

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 70% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 30% below the area median household income

    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

    Nearby metros — Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $49,780
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,640
    Knoxville, TN $48,800
    Cleveland, TN $48,100
    Clarksville, TN-KY $47,710
    Jackson, TN $47,470

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Electricians $58,770
    Construction Laborers $39,360
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $71,130
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $55,660
    Carpenters $48,480
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $43,470

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $23.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.17 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 18.3% 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 Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,620 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,470.