Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in East Kentucky

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

Median annual salary $59,090 +0.6% vs national
Median hourly $28.41
10th percentile $34,930
90th percentile $72,220
Employed locally 600
National median $58,710

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

Type a city below to see how East Kentucky stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
East Kentucky
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,930
    25th
    $46,170
    50th (median)
    $59,090
    75th
    $71,830
    90th
    $72,220

    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 East Kentucky

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $38,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $74,400
    Continuous Mining Machine Operators $56,120
    Electricians $70,720
    Highway Maintenance Workers $33,580
    Carpenters $45,650

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in East Kentucky is $28.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.58 or more per hour.

    Is East 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 East Kentucky is 0.6% above 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 East Kentucky?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $34,930 per year in East Kentucky. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,170.