Operating engineers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
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.
- Education Required
- 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.
- Training Required
- 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.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 12% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- Construction equipment operators often need a commercial drivers license (CDL) to haul their equipment to various jobsites. State laws governing CDLs vary.
- Median pay: How much do Construction Equipment Operators make?
- $45,040 Annual Salary
- $21.65 per hour
Careers for Construction Equipment Operators
- Angle dozer operators
- Asphalt pavers
- Asphalt paving machine operators
- Asphalt roller operators
- Asphalt tamping machine operators
- Blacktop-paver operators
- Blade grader operators
- Bulldozer operators
- Concrete paving machine operators
- Diesel pile hammer operators
- Ditching machine operating engineers
- Grader operators
- Hydraulic pile hammer operators
- Hydraulic press-in operators
- Motor grader operators
- Paver operators
- Paving and surfacing equipment operators
- Paving equipment operators
- Pile-driver operators
- Road graders
- Scraper operators
- Screed operators
- Steam shovel operating engineers
- Steam shovel operators
- Surfacing equipment operators
- Tamping equipment operators
- Vibratory pile drivers