Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

Median annual salary $60,640 +3.3% vs national
Median hourly $29.15
10th percentile $47,110
90th percentile $88,260
Employed locally 1,810
National median $58,710

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

Type a city below to see how Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,110
    25th
    $51,440
    50th (median)
    $60,640
    75th
    $77,240
    90th
    $88,260

    Louisville/Jefferson County economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,737 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 85% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 15% 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
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $59,230
    East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $59,090
    Kentucky $57,060
    West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $56,700

    Related occupations in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers$46,560
    Electricians$61,890
    Carpenters$55,330
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$77,570
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$66,410
    Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$50,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make per hour in Louisville/Jefferson County?

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $29.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.42 or more per hour.

    Is Louisville/Jefferson County above or below average for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries?

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is 3.3% 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 Louisville/Jefferson County?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $47,110 per year in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,440.