Highway Equipment Operator pay range
Commonwealth of Kentucky · class code 20000425
- Class code
- 20000425
- Pay grade
- 11
- Pay unit
- Month
- Alternate ranges
- 3
- State
- Kentucky
- The Commonwealth of Kentucky published pay range for Highway Equipment Operator is $2,760 to $4,416 per month, spanning every alternate range the plan defines.
- Kentucky publishes an entry rate and a midpoint for each pay grade, not a maximum, so the upper figure on this page is the grade midpoint.
- That works out to about $33,119 to $52,990 a year at full time.
- Kentucky Personnel Cabinet keys this classification as class code 20000425.
- The plan defines 3 alternate ranges for this class, so the rate depends on which criteria an employee meets.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Alternate ranges
| Range | Entry | Midpoint | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range 37.5-hour week | $2,760 | $4,140 | per month |
| Range 40-hour week | $2,944 | $4,416 | per month |
| Range Hourly | $16.98 | $25.48 | per hour |
Which alternate range applies is set by the plan's own criteria (experience, certification or assignment). The criteria text lives in the source document.
Class specification
The Personnel Cabinet class specification for this class is published by Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 09/16/2023.
What the state says the job is
Operates road tractor & various semi-trailers in the transport of equipment, materials, and supplies statewide. Operates heavy equipment in the completion of loading and unloading equipment and supplies, such as excavator, motor graders, front-end loaders, tandem dump trucks, bulldozers, backhoes, and other various pieces of equipment OR Performs construction and maintenance of access roads, parking areas and roadbeds utilized for statewide fishing and boating access. Operates intermediate equipment such as backhoe, front- end loader, grader, tandem truck, tow paver, hydro seeder; and performs other duties as required.
Examples of the work
Provides semi and straight truck transport of equipment, materials, and supplies statewide. Operates heavy equipment in the completion of loading and unloading equipment and supplies, such as excavator, motor graders, front-end loaders, tandem dump trucks, bulldozers, or backhoes. Performs roadway or facility lot maintenance. Maintains equipment lot; repairs drainage issues by means of excavating, grading, plowing, and repairing drainage issues. Provides basic service interval and minor repair on assigned equipment. Prepares surplus equipment. Completes surplus reports and disposal documents.
Minimum qualifications
EDUCATION: High school graduate. EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Must have four years of experience in the operation of equipment including two years of experience in the operation of intermediate equipment such as backhoe, front-end loader, grader, tandem truck, tow paver, or hydro seeder. Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: A Heavy Equipment Training certificate from a technical school or vocational school will substitute for one year of the required experience. Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
Special requirements
Must possess a valid driver's license and a valid Class A commercial driver's license prior to employment in this job classification. Applicants for employment with the Transportation Cabinet must possess a valid driver's license and a valid Class A commercial driver's license with tank vehicle endo ...
Quoted from the Personnel Cabinet class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet publishes this figure in Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule, effective September 16, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their pay grades come from the Job Specification Search, joined to the salary schedule.
Nearby classes in Kentucky
Highway Equipment Operator in other states
| State | Entry | Midpoint | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $38,235 | $47,237 | $38,235 to $47,237 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.