What Does it Take to Be an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator?
Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator Job 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.
A Day in the Life of an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator
- Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
- Turn valves to control air or water output of compressors or pumps.
- Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
- Compile cost estimates for jobs.
- Operate equipment to demolish or remove debris or to remove snow from streets, roads, or parking lots.
- Learn and follow safety regulations.
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Skills Needed to be an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator
When polled, Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Other Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator Job Titles
- Operator/Assistant Foreman
- Grader Operator
- Ditcher Operator
- Angle Dozer Operator
- Grader
Job Opportunities for Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators
There were about 371,100 jobs for Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 47,300 yearly job openings in this field.
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 salary for Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators ranges between about $31,320 and $84,160 a year.
Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators who work in Illinois, Hawaii, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators in different U.S. states.
| 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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- Maintenance record software
How to Become an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator
What education is needed to be an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator?
Where do Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators Work?
Below are examples of industries where Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators work:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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