How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Chattanooga?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area. That is $24.19 an hour or $4,193 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.19
- Vs. national median
- -16%
- Rank among cities
- 275 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 750
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,370 | $19.41 | |
| 25th | $45,250 | $21.75 | |
| Median | $50,320 | $24.19 | |
| 75th | $59,840 | $28.77 | |
| 90th | $77,320 | $37.17 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| Nashville, TN | $56,030 |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,960 |
| Memphis, TN | $53,870 |
| Clarksville, TN | $50,910 |
| Knoxville, TN | $48,690 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,210 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,560 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,240 |
Related jobs in Chattanooga
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $75,090 |
| Electrician | $72,330 |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $69,660 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $61,880 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $59,140 |
| Plumber | $58,720 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $55,620 |
| Carpenter | $50,760 |
| Glazier | $47,670 |
| Painter | $47,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Chattanooga?
The median hourly pay in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $24.19 ($50,320 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Chattanooga than the national average?
No: $50,320 against $59,850 nationally, 16% less.
How does Chattanooga compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $52,000, so Chattanooga pays 3% less.
Where does Chattanooga rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
275 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,370 or less a year; the top 10% make $77,320 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.