Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Lexington, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lexington-Fayette, KY

Median annual salary $59,230 +0.9% vs national
Median hourly $28.48
10th percentile $45,230
90th percentile $77,220
Employed locally 780
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
Lexington, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,230
    25th
    $50,150
    50th (median)
    $59,230
    75th
    $64,250
    90th
    $77,220

    Lexington economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 84% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 16% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $65,140
    Bowling Green, KY $60,770
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $60,640
    East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $59,090
    Kentucky $57,060
    West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $56,700

    Related occupations in Lexington, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $45,960
    Electricians $58,530
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $71,850
    Carpenters $50,760
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $60,970
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $44,620

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Lexington, KY is $28.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.38 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Lexington, KY is 0.9% 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 Lexington?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $45,230 per year in Lexington, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,150.