Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Clarksville, TN-KY
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn a median of $50,910 a year ($24.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,740 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $52,000. There are 4.0 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Clarksville, TN-KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| 25th percentile | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Median | $50,910 | $24.48 |
| 75th percentile | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,740 | $33.05 |
| Average (mean) | $53,750 | $25.84 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,242.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,121.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,958.08 |
| Weekly | $979.04 |
| Hourly | $24.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $66,950 | 3,120 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,890 | 1,920 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $60,180 | 300 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,000 | 460 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $58,560 | 760 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,320 | 1,040 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $56,030 | 3,820 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,960 | 770 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,870 | 1,140 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $50,960 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,320 | 750 |
| Owensboro, KY | $49,550 | 140 |
| Knoxville, TN | $48,690 | 1,210 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,210 | 160 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,170 | 220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,560 | 200 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,240 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Clarksville, TN-KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Electrician | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Carpenter | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $50,280 | $24.17 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $71,750 | $34.49 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $39,960 | $19.21 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Clarksville, TN-KY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Clarksville, TN-KY?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area is $50,910 a year, or $24.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Clarksville, TN-KY?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn at least $68,740 a year. The top 25% earn $58,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Clarksville, TN-KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,600 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $45,290 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Clarksville, TN-KY?
About 420 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.