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Typically working 55 hours a week, a heavy equipment operator will make an average of $48,160 annually.

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Technically only a high school diploma is the only required schooling to become a heavy equipment operator.

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These are the top seven skills placed on a heavy equipment operators resume in 2020.

1. Safety Standards 8%

2. Dozer  7%

3. Skid Steer 7%

4. Backhoe 7%

5. Equipment Operations 5%

6. CDL 4%

7. Other Skills 62%

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1. Time management

1. Jobs need to be done within a certain amount of time.

2. Adaptability

1. Weather and machine breakdowns can hinder a workday. Being able to complete other tasks is a must.

3. Organization

1. A job cannot be successfully completed in a slotted amount of time without a game plan.

4. Communication

1. As an employee or boss, you have to be able to communicate when something goes wrong or you do not understand something.

5. Emotional Intelligence

1. When everything seems to be falling apart you're able to keep emotions in check and not let them hinder your working capabilities.

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Certifications & Exams to be in This Field

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Certifications & Exams to be in This Field

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A CDL or Commercial Drivers License is required at most jobs.

Maintain a state drivers license and a CLP and attend a CDL Driving school.

Complete the knowledge exam and skill test to obtain the CDL.

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This job is supposed to grow by 4% from the year 2019 to 2029.

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Similar to the corporate ladder, you can start as an apprentice and move your way up the heavy equipment ladder.

Employee of a business

Manager of a crew.

Manager of a group of crews.

Boss of your own landscaping/large equipment business.

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I chose this career because it is how my Dad started out with his work career. He began by apprenticing for 3-4 years under an older operator then started his own landscaping business. Once he was older he downsized his business and became the director for the Highway Department of the town of Warner. It just hows how many opportunities this starting job can bring.

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Study cite.

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Zippia.

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The six most common skills found on Heavy Equipment Operator resumes in 2020. Read below to see the full list.

Here's how Depress Pedals is used in Heavy Equipment Operator jobs:

Started engine, moved throttle, switches, and levers and depress pedals to operatemachines, equipment and attachments.

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Here's how Audio Signals is used in Heavy Equipment Operator jobs:

Coordinated machine actions with other activities, positioned and moved loads in response to hand/audio signals.

Communicated with other workers through hand or audio signals to operate the machines safely.

Positioned or moved loads using reference stakes or hand/audio signals from crew members.

Coordinated machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.

Coordinated machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.

Followed hand or audio signals of workers.

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Here's how Potential Hazards is used in Heavy Equipment Operator jobs:

Located underground services and identified potential hazards to ensure crew safety.

Handled heavy duty equipment in an open mining pit and understood changes to assigned work areas and any potential hazards.

Executed construction site clean up to eliminate potential hazards.

Performed safety checks hourly and fixed potential hazards.

Learned and followed safety regulations to avoid potential hazards or obstructions Adjusted hand wheels and depress pedals to control attachments.

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20 Most Common Skill For A Heavy Equipment Operator

17,476 Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs

Where do you want to work?

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The six most common skills found on Heavy Equipment Operator resumes in 2020. Read below to see the full list. Here's how Depress Pedals is used in Heavy Equipment Operator jobs: Started engine, moved throttle, switches, and levers and depress pedals to operatemachines, equipment and attachments.

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US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Summary

Quick Facts: Construction Equipment Operators
2019 Median Pay

$48,160 per year
$23.16 per hour

Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings and other structures.

Construction equipment operators work in nearly all weather conditions. They often get dirty, greasy, muddy, or dusty. The majority of operators work full time, and some operators have irregular work schedules. Some construction projects, especially road building, are done at night.

Many workers learn equipment operation on the job after earning a high school diploma or equivalent, and others learn through an apprenticeship or by attending vocational schools.

The median annual wage for construction equipment operators was $48,160 in May 2019.

Overall employment of construction equipment operators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for construction equipment operators.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of construction equipment operators with similar occupations.

Learn more about construction equipment operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Construction Equipment Operators Do About this section

Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.

Duties

Construction equipment operators typically do the following:

Clean and maintain equipment, making basic repairs as necessary

Report malfunctioning equipment to supervisors

Move levers, push pedals, or turn valves to control equipment

Drive and maneuver equipment

Coordinate machine actions with crew members using hand or audio signals

Follow safety standards

Construction equipment operators use machinery to move construction materials, earth, and other heavy materials at construction sites and mines. They operate equipment that clears and grades land to prepare it for the construction of roads, bridges, and buildings, as well as runways, power generation facilities, dams, levees, and other structures.

The following are examples of types of construction equipment operators:

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work with one or several types of power construction equipment. They may operate excavation and loading machines equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig sand, gravel, earth, or similar materials. In addition to operating bulldozers, they operate trench excavators, road graders, and similar equipment. Sometimes, they may drive and control industrial trucks or tractors equipped with forklifts or booms for lifting materials. They may also operate and maintain air compressors, pumps, and other power equipment at construction sites.

Paving and surfacing equipment operators control the machines that spread and level asphalt or spread and smooth concrete for roadways or other structures.

Asphalt spreader operators turn valves to regulate the temperature and flow of asphalt being applied to the roadbed. They must ensure a constant flow of asphalt into the hopper and that the machine distributes the paving material evenly.

Concrete paving machine operators control levers and turn handwheels to move attachments that spread, vibrate, and level wet concrete. They must watch the surface of the concrete carefully to identify low spots that need additional concrete.

Tamping equipment operators use machines that compact earth and other fill materials for roadbeds, railroads, or other construction sites. They also may operate machines with interchangeable hammers to cut or break up old pavement and drive guardrail posts into the ground.

Pile-driver operators use large machines mounted on skids, barges, or cranes to hammer piles into the ground. Piles are long, heavy beams of concrete, wood, or steel driven into the ground to support retaining walls, bridges, piers, or building foundations. Some pile-driver operators work on offshore oil rigs.

Construction equipment operators held about 468,300 jobs in 2019. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up construction equipment operators was distributed as follows:

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

418,000

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators

46,600

Pile driver operators

3,600

The largest employers of construction equipment operators were as follows:

Heavy and civil engineering construction

30%

Specialty trade contractors

28

Local government, excluding education and hospitals

13

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

6

Construction of buildings

5

Construction equipment operators work in nearly every weather condition, although rain or extremely cold weather can stop some types of construction. Workers often get dirty, greasy, muddy, or dusty. Some operators work in remote locations on large construction projects, such as highways and dams, or in factories or mines.

Injuries and Illnesses

Construction equipment operators risk injury from hazards such as slips, falls, and transportation incidents. Workers can generally avoid injury by observing proper operating procedures and safety practices. Bulldozers, scrapers, and pile-drivers are noisy and shake or jolt the operator, which may lead to repetitive stress injuries.

Work Schedules

Construction equipment operators may have irregular schedules because work on construction projects must sometimes continue around the clock or be done late at night. The majority of construction equipment operators work full time.

How to Become a Construction Equipment Operator About this section

Many workers learn equipment operation on the job after earning a high school diploma or equivalent, while others learn through an apprenticeship or by attending vocational schools.

Education

A high school diploma or equivalent is required for most jobs. Vocational training and math courses are useful, and a course in auto mechanics can be helpful because workers often perform maintenance on their equipment.

Learning at vocational schools may be beneficial in finding a job. Schools may specialize in a particular brand or type of construction equipment.

Some schools incorporate sophisticated simulator training into their courses, allowing beginners to familiarize themselves with the equipment in a virtual environment before operating real machines.

Training

Many workers learn their jobs by operating light equipment under the guidance of an experienced operator. Later, they may operate heavier equipment, such as bulldozers. Some construction equipment with computerized controls requires greater skill to operate. Operators of such equipment may need more training and some understanding of electronics.

Other workers learn their trade through a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship. For each year of the program, apprentices must have at least 144 hours of technical instruction and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. On the job, apprentices learn to maintain equipment, operate machinery, and use technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. In the classroom, apprentices learn operating procedures for equipment, safety practices, and first aid, as well as how to read grading plans.

A few groups, including unions and contractor associations, sponsor apprenticeship programs. The basic qualifications for entering an apprenticeship program are as follows:

Minimum age of 18

High school education or equivalent

Physically able to do the work

Valid driver's license

After completing an apprenticeship program, apprentices are considered journey workers and perform tasks with less guidance.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Construction equipment operators often need a commercial driver's license (CDL) to haul their equipment to various jobsites. State laws governing CDLs vary.

A few states have special licenses for operators of backhoes, loaders, and bulldozers.

Currently, 17 states require pile-driver operators to have a crane license because similar operational concerns apply to both pile-drivers and cranes. In addition, the cities of Chicago, Cincinnati, New Orleans, New York, Omaha, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC require special crane licensure.

Important Qualities

Hand-eye-foot coordination. Construction equipment operators should have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely, sometimes in tight spaces.

Mechanical skills. Construction equipment operators often perform basic maintenance on the equipment they operate. As a result, they should be familiar with hand and power tools and standard equipment care.

Physical strength. Construction equipment operators may be required to lift more than 50 pounds as part of their duties.

Unafraid of heights. Construction equipment operators may work at great heights. For example, pile-driver operators may need to service the pulleys located at the top of the pile-driver's tower, which may be several stories tall.

Median annual wages, May 2019

The median annual wage for construction equipment operators was $48,160 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,650.

Median annual wages for construction equipment operators in May 2019 were as follows:

Pile driver operators

$62,600

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators

48,980

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators

40,130

In May 2019, the median annual wages for construction equipment operators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Construction of buildings

$54,180

Heavy and civil engineering construction

52,280

Specialty trade contractors

48,070

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

46,950

Local government, excluding education and hospitals

43,080

The starting pay for apprentices is usually between 60 percent and 70 percent of what fully trained operators make. They receive pay increases as they learn to operate more complex equipment.

Construction equipment operators may have irregular schedules because work on construction projects must sometimes continue around the clock or be done late at night. The majority of construction equipment operators work full time.

Overall employment of construction equipment operators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth is expected to vary across the construction equipment operator occupations. (See table.)

Spending on infrastructure is expected to increase, resulting in some new jobs over the next 10 years. Across the country, many roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems are in need of repair. In addition, population growth will require new infrastructure projects, such as roads and sewer lines, which is also expected to generate jobs.

Job Prospects

Workers with the ability to operate multiple types of equipment should have the best job opportunities. In addition, employment opportunities should be best in metropolitan areas, where most large commercial and residential buildings are constructed, and in states that undertake large transportation-related projects. Because apprentices learn to operate a wider variety of machines than do other beginners, they usually have better job opportunities.

As with many other types of construction worker jobs, employment of construction equipment operators is sensitive to fluctuations of the economy. On the one hand, workers may experience periods of unemployment when the overall level of construction falls. On the other hand, some areas may need additional workers during peak periods of building activity.

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2019

Projected Employment, 2029

Change, 2019-29

Employment by Industry

Percent

Numeric

Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

For information about apprenticeships or job opportunities as a construction equipment operator, contact local cement or highway construction contractors, a local joint union-management apprenticeship committee, or the nearest office of your state employment service or apprenticeship agency. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627.

For more information about construction equipment operators, visit
The Associated General Contractors of America Pile Driving Contractors Association
For more information about training of construction equipment operators, visit
International Union of Operating Engineers NCCER
For more information about crane certification and licensure, visit
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators
O*NET
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators Pile-Driver Operators

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Quick Facts: Construction Equipment Operators 2019 Median Pay $48,160 per year $23.16 per hour Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings and other structures. Construction equipment operators work in nearly all weather conditions. They often get dirty, greasy, muddy, or dusty.