Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Kingsport, TN-VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA

Median annual salary $46,130 -21.4% vs national
Median hourly $22.18
10th percentile $37,180
90th percentile $73,520
Employed locally 460
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
Kingsport, TN-VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,180
    25th
    $43,250
    50th (median)
    $46,130
    75th
    $59,030
    90th
    $73,520

    Kingsport economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,948 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 82% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 18% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $47,950
    Clarksville, TN-KY $47,710

    Related occupations in Kingsport, TN-VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$40,450
    Electricians$58,310
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$67,210
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$59,980
    Carpenters$47,700
    Highway Maintenance Workers$46,490

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kingsport, TN-VA is $22.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.73 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Kingsport, TN-VA is 21.4% 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 Kingsport?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $37,180 per year in Kingsport, TN-VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,250.