How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make in Memphis?
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $25.90 an hour or $4,489 a month.
- Hourly
- $25.90
- Vs. national median
- -10%
- Rank among cities
- 239 of 392
- Jobs in the area
- 1,140
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,560 | $19.50 | |
| 25th | $45,510 | $21.88 | |
| Median | $53,870 | $25.90 | |
| 75th | $62,150 | $29.88 | |
| 90th | $72,790 | $35.00 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for operating engineer and other construction equipment operators.
| Nashville, TN | $56,030 |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,960 |
| Clarksville, TN | $50,910 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $50,320 |
| Knoxville, TN | $48,690 |
| Cleveland, TN | $48,210 |
| Morristown, TN | $48,170 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,560 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,240 |
Related jobs in Memphis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker | $75,850 |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $65,360 |
| Earth Driller | $61,710 |
| Electrician | $60,890 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,780 |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $59,750 |
| Plumber | $58,690 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator | $56,780 |
| Carpenter | $50,620 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $50,390 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $25.90 ($53,870 a year).
Do operating engineer and other construction equipment operators make more in Memphis than the national average?
No: $53,870 against $59,850 nationally, 10% less.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $52,000, so Memphis pays 4% more.
Where does Memphis rank for operating engineer and other construction equipment operator pay?
239 of 392 metro areas with data.
How much does an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,560 or less a year; the top 10% make $72,790 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.