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.
List of Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator Job Duties
- Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
- Connect hydraulic hoses, belts, mechanical linkages, or power takeoff shafts to tractors.
- Keep records of material or equipment usage or problems encountered.
- Select and fasten bulldozer blades or other attachments to tractors, using hitches.
- Operate equipment to demolish or remove debris or to remove snow from streets, roads, or parking lots.
- Operate conveyors to remove grit and debris from digesters.
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Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator Required Skills
Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Types of Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator Jobs
- Back Hoe Operator
- Rotary Soil Stabilizer
- Ditching Machine Operator
- Equipment Driver
- Angle Dozer Operator
Are There 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 average yearly salary of an Operating Engineer or Construction Equipment Operator ranges 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 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators
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 many years of work experience do I need?
Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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