Kentucky
Operating Engineer programs in Kentucky
4 listed heavy equipment operator programs in Kentucky, plus BLS pay data for the state and 9 metro areas.
- $59,320Average pay (state, all experience levels)
- $44,620Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $57,780Median pay (state)
- $80,890Top 10% earn over
7,050 jobs in Kentucky · 4 listed programs. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
Cities with listed programs
BLS wage data
Operating Engineer pay in Kentucky
Annual wages from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $44,620 | $49,040 | $57,780 | $65,720 | $80,890 | $59,320 | 7,050 |
| United States | $42,190 | $48,680 | $59,850 | $77,170 | $101,090 | $66,290 | 478,090 |
Metro areas
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $47,210 | $55,860 | $66,950 | $94,650 | $99,500 | $72,760 | 3,120 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $48,150 | $52,720 | $61,890 | $75,890 | $90,310 | $65,240 | 1,920 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $45,900 | $50,880 | $60,180 | $63,130 | $82,400 | $61,110 | 300 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $47,610 | $49,880 | $59,000 | $64,670 | $83,810 | $60,380 | 460 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $44,320 | $49,380 | $58,560 | $66,000 | $77,760 | $59,260 | 760 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,770 | $46,110 | $57,320 | $76,970 | $93,900 | $60,800 | 1,040 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $43,080 | $47,300 | $50,960 | $59,220 | $79,870 | $55,500 | 110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $40,600 | $45,290 | $50,910 | $58,870 | $68,740 | $53,750 | 420 |
| Owensboro, KY | $35,980 | $46,650 | $49,550 | $61,300 | $81,070 | $55,360 | 140 |
Programs
Listed programs in Kentucky
Every heavy equipment operator program we matched in Kentucky. Schools with published tuition are listed first.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Lexington, KY | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $4,952–$6,752 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Hazard Community and Technical College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Hazard, KY | Certificate (1-2 years) | 1 | $4,872–$6,672 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Hazard Community and Technical College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Hazard, KY | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 9 | $4,872–$6,672 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Operating Engineers JAC | Boston, KY | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
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Related resources
Keep researching
GI Bill heavy equipment operator schoolsSchools approved for VA benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.comVerified CDL training schoolsMany equipment jobs also involve hauling machines; compare CDL programs. · VerifiedCDLSchools.comRegistered apprenticeships in KentuckyThe full DOL sponsor list for the state. · RegisteredTradeSchools.com
Sources
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 47-2073.00 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators, retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.