Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $53,870 a year ($25.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $52,000. There are 1.9 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $55,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| 25th percentile | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Median | $53,870 | $25.90 |
| 75th percentile | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,790 | $35.00 |
| Average (mean) | $55,080 | $26.48 |
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 | $4,489.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,244.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,071.92 |
| Weekly | $1,035.96 |
| Hourly | $25.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,870 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $56,030 | 3,820 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,960 | 770 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,910 | 420 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,320 | 750 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $50,090 | 900 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $48,700 | 510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $48,690 | 1,210 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,210 | 160 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,170 | 220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,560 | 200 |
| Jackson, MS | $47,340 | 870 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,240 | 270 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $47,030 | 180 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $46,800 | 280 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $46,290 | 1,230 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $45,590 | 240 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $41,820 | 440 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $37,760 | 250 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Electrician | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Carpenter | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Roofer | $46,480 | $22.34 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Glazier | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $45,900 | $22.07 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $53,870 a year, or $25.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $72,790 a year. The top 25% earn $62,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,560 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $45,510 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,140 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.