Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $56,030 a year ($26.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,900 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $59,850. Pay here is 8% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $52,000. There are 3.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| 25th percentile | $49,470 | $23.79 |
| Median | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| 75th percentile | $60,560 | $29.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,900 | $35.53 |
| Average (mean) | $57,270 | $27.54 |
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 | $4,669.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,334.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,155 |
| Weekly | $1,077.50 |
| Hourly | $26.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,030 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,960 | 770 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,870 | 1,140 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $50,910 | 420 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $50,320 | 750 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Electrician | $63,340 | $30.45 |
| Carpenter | $55,770 | $26.81 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $60,100 | $28.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $48,810 | $23.47 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,330 | $21.31 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $62,200 | $29.91 |
| Roofer | $48,120 | $23.14 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $54,400 | $26.16 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $66,380 | $31.91 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| Glazier | $56,580 | $27.20 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $56,030 a year, or $26.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $73,900 a year. The top 25% earn $60,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,630 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $49,470 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 3,820 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.