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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Owensboro, KY

Median annual salary $50,200 -14.5% vs national
Median hourly $24.13
10th percentile $36,920
90th percentile $78,380
Employed locally 170
National median $58,710

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

Type a city below to see how Owensboro, KY stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
in
Owensboro, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,920
    25th
    $45,690
    50th (median)
    $50,200
    75th
    $58,000
    90th
    $78,380

    Owensboro economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,656 2023 • Census ACS
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary vs area income 76% Median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary is 24% 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
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $59,230
    East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area $59,090
    Kentucky $57,060

    Related occupations in Owensboro, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $42,960
    Electricians $56,310
    Carpenters $48,570
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $70,040
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $74,290
    Painters, Construction and Maintenance $41,330

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Owensboro, KY is $24.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Owensboro, KY is 14.5% 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 Owensboro?

    Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,920 per year in Owensboro, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,690.