Kentucky ranks 32nd of 51 states and D.C. for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($105,440) by $48,380 — a 85% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $41,600 to $81,050 — a $39,450 spread, 35% tighter than the national $60,610 range.
Kentucky employs roughly 1.5% of all operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the country (7,020 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 25th percentile | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,060 | $27.43 |
| 75th percentile | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Mean (average) | $59,210 | $28.47 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $57,060 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $105,440 | +85% |
| Illinois | $96,980 | +70% |
| California | $89,120 | +56% |
| New Jersey | $84,170 | +48% |
| New York | $80,260 | +41% |
| Washington | $79,190 | +39% |
| Minnesota | $78,580 | +38% |
| Connecticut | $76,690 | +34% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $57,090 | 3,660 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $57,140 | 950 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $57,390 | 7,780 |
| Editors | $57,410 | 430 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $57,430 | 1,000 |
| Postal Service Mail Carriers | $56,330 | 4,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Kentucky?
The mean operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Kentucky is $59,210 per year. The median (middle) salary is $57,060 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operatorss (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $41,600 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $48,140 per year.
What is the highest Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $81,050 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $68,790 per year.
How does the Kentucky Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary compare to the national average?
The median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary in Kentucky is $57,060, which is -3% below national average of $58,710.