What Does it Take to Be an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator?
Occupation Description Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Life As an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator: What Do They Do?
- Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.
- Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.
- Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.
- Check fuel supplies at sites to ensure adequate availability.
- Test atmosphere for adequate oxygen or explosive conditions when working in confined spaces.
- Operate conveyors to remove grit and debris from digesters.
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What Every Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Related Job Titles
- Bush Hog Operator
- Track Hoe Operator
- Elevating Grader Operator
- Landfill Grader
- Equipment Operator/Laborer/Supervisor
Job Opportunities for Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators
In the United States, there were 371,100 jobs for Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 45,800 new jobs for Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 47,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator are Utah, Nevada, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Kentucky. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator
The typical yearly salary for Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators is somewhere between $31,320 and $84,160.
Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators who work in Illinois, Hawaii, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $40,930 |
| Alaska | $70,750 |
| Arizona | $47,110 |
| Arkansas | $36,750 |
| California | $73,130 |
| Colorado | $49,750 |
| Connecticut | $71,060 |
| Delaware | $42,820 |
| District of Columbia | $61,320 |
| Florida | $40,160 |
| Georgia | $37,580 |
| Hawaii | $78,470 |
| Idaho | $46,810 |
| Illinois | $77,090 |
| Indiana | $58,180 |
| Iowa | $48,510 |
| Kansas | $41,200 |
| Kentucky | $47,930 |
| Louisiana | $46,160 |
| Maine | $43,400 |
| Maryland | $49,560 |
| Massachusetts | $67,410 |
| Michigan | $52,800 |
| Minnesota | $62,770 |
| Mississippi | $38,310 |
| Missouri | $53,990 |
| Montana | $51,580 |
| Nebraska | $43,590 |
| Nevada | $58,410 |
| New Hampshire | $50,230 |
| New Jersey | $75,150 |
| New Mexico | $44,900 |
| New York | $81,930 |
| North Carolina | $39,990 |
| North Dakota | $55,440 |
| Ohio | $56,600 |
| Oklahoma | $41,710 |
| Oregon | $55,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,320 |
| Rhode Island | $64,820 |
| South Carolina | $40,220 |
| South Dakota | $44,150 |
| Tennessee | $41,180 |
| Texas | $41,730 |
| Utah | $48,640 |
| Vermont | $42,930 |
| Virginia | $42,470 |
| Washington | $67,260 |
| West Virginia | $45,280 |
| Wisconsin | $62,540 |
| Wyoming | $58,270 |
What Tools & Technology do Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Maintenance record software
How to Become an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator?
Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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