Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR make a median of $49,780 a year, or about $23.93 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.18), which stretches that salary to about $54,003 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,274/month — about 35.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Memphis?
About operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Entry-level operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $73K or more - a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $105K | +80% | 1,740 |
| Illinois | $97K | +65% | 11,690 |
| California | $89K | +52% | 36,040 |
| New Jersey | $84K | +43% | 6,450 |
| New York | $80K | +37% | 14,700 |
| Washington | $79K | +35% | 9,070 |
| Minnesota | $79K | +34% | 8,290 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +31% | 2,810 |
| Rhode Island | $76K | +30% | 850 |
| Alaska | $75K | +28% | 3,170 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +24% | 10,360 |
| Nevada | $73K | +24% | 5,760 |
| Wisconsin | $73K | +24% | 8,320 |
| Indiana | $72K | +23% | 11,230 |
| District of Columbia | $69K | +18% | 560 |
Track operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Memphis numbers change.
Related careers in Construction & Trades
Frequently asked questions
How much do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median is $49,780 a year - that works out to about $23.93 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,330, and experienced operating engineers and other construction equipment operators can clear $72,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Memphis?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,503/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,274/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 36.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary go in Memphis?
Memphis has a Regional Price Parity of 92.18 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median operating engineers and other construction equipment operators salary is worth about $54,003 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do operating engineers and other construction equipment operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.