Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $58,560 a year ($28.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,760 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 1% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $57,780. There are 2.7 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| 25th percentile | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| Median | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| 75th percentile | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| Average (mean) | $59,260 | $28.49 |
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 | $4,880 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,440 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,252.31 |
| Weekly | $1,126.15 |
| Hourly | $28.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,320 | 1,040 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $50,960 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,910 | 420 |
| Owensboro, KY | $49,550 | 140 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Electrician | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Carpenter | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Roofer | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $51,820 | $24.92 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Glazier | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $43,470 | $20.90 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $76,490 | $36.77 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, 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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $58,560 a year, or $28.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $77,760 a year. The top 25% earn $66,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,320 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $49,380 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 760 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.