LocalSalaryHub Salary Report
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Owensboro, KY · Generated June 3, 2026
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in Owensboro, KY $49,550/yr
$49,550
Mean: $55,360
~$38,649 est. take-home
$23.82
Based on 2,080 hrs/yr
100
100 = national avg
Salary Distribution
Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.
25th %
$46,650
Median
$49,550
75th %
$61,300
Median is in the 20th percentile of the typical range
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in other KY cities
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About Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salaries in Owensboro, KY
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $49,550 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $55,360, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Most operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in this area earn between $46,650 and $61,300. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.
That works out to roughly $23.82 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.
Career Outlook
8% growth. Federal infrastructure money is flowing, and it takes operators to run the excavators, bulldozers, and cranes. GPS-guided equipment and drone-assisted grading are the new standard — operators who can use the tech earn more.
Worth knowing: Union apprenticeship programs (IUOE) are the best entry path: you earn while you learn, and journeyman rates are $40–$60/hour depending on the region. Overtime on federal projects pays time-and-a-half.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Jobs in Owensboro, KY
Median: $49,550/yr — browse openings that fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Owensboro?▾
The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $49,550. The average (mean) is $55,360, which is higher because top earners pull it up.
How much does a operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make per hour in Owensboro?▾
About $23.82/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.
What is the salary range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Owensboro?▾
The middle 50% earn between $46,650 and $61,300. Below $46,650 is typically entry-level; above $61,300 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.
Salary Conversion Table
How does $49,550 per year break down across different time periods?
| Period | Gross | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $49,550 | $38,649 |
| Monthly | $4,129 | $3,221 |
| Biweekly | $1,906 | $1,487 |
| Weekly | $953 | $743 |
| Hourly (40h/wk) | $23.82 | $18.58 |
| Hourly (35h/wk) | $27.23 | $21.24 |
| Hourly (30h/wk) | $31.76 | $24.78 |
| Daily (8h) | $191 | $149 |
Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.
Top 10 cities nationwide for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, based on BLS median salary data.
Related Occupations in Owensboro
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