How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Knoxville?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Knoxville, TN metro area. That is $23.41 an hour or $4,058 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.41
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 310 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,790 | $20.09 | |
| 25th | $44,130 | $21.22 | |
| Median | $48,690 | $23.41 | |
| 75th | $57,700 | $27.74 | |
| 90th | $78,520 | $37.75 |
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 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $50,320 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,210 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,560 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,240 |
Related jobs in Knoxville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $75,280 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $66,830 |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $64,090 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,340 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $61,250 |
| Plumber | $59,860 |
| Electrician | $58,640 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $58,150 |
| Boilermaker | $51,430 |
| Carpenter | $50,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Knoxville?
The median hourly pay in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $23.41 ($48,690 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Knoxville than the national average?
No: $48,690 against $59,850 nationally, 19% less.
How does Knoxville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $52,000, so Knoxville pays 6% less.
Where does Knoxville rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
310 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Knoxville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $41,790 or less a year; the top 10% make $78,520 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.