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.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
SOC: 47-2073 O*NET: 47-2073.00
Median Salary
$58,710
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
41.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$40,080
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,780
25th percentile
Median
$58,710
50th percentile
Experienced
$75,750
75th percentile
Top Earners
$100,690
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$40,080
25th
$47,780
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$58,710
Mean: $65,180
75th
$75,750
90th
$100,690
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $60,610 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,780 and $75,750
- •Salary spread is 47.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 469,270 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:489,300
Top Industries
Construction63%
Specialty Trade Contractors29.5%
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction28.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.6%
Annual Openings:41,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)489,300
Current
2034 (Projected)507,100
+3.6%
+17,800
Employment Change
+3.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
55,290 jobs$49,6501.31x
California
36,040 jobs$89,1200.66x
Florida
29,420 jobs$48,7800.98x
Pennsylvania
20,680 jobs$58,5801.13x
Ohio
16,510 jobs$62,4100.98x
North Carolina
15,890 jobs$48,9101.07x
Georgia
15,720 jobs$46,3801.06x
New York
14,700 jobs$80,2600.51x
Arizona
13,520 jobs$59,9001.39x
Colorado
12,050 jobs$61,5701.37x
Illinois
11,690 jobs$96,9800.63x
Virginia
11,280 jobs$52,2400.91x
Indiana
11,230 jobs$72,3701.16x
Massachusetts
10,360 jobs$72,8000.93x
Tennessee
10,190 jobs$49,0701.02x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Mechanical
100%
#2
Operation and Control
100%
#3
Control Precision
100%
#4
Depth Perception
92%
#5
Operations Monitoring
90%
#6
Multilimb Coordination
82%
#7
Equipment Maintenance
80%
#8
Near Vision
74%
#9
Monitoring
70%
#10
English Language
70%
Skills Overview
Mechanical
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Control Precision
advanced5.0
100%
Depth Perception
advanced4.6
92%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.5
90%
Multilimb Coordination
intermediate4.1
82%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate4.0
80%
Near Vision
intermediate3.7
74%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Mechanical
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Depth Perception
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance90%
skills
4.5/5.0
Multilimb Coordination
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Near Vision
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0
Far Vision
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Logging Equipment Operators75%
5 shared skills
Pile Driver Operators75%
5 shared skills
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders71%
5 shared skills
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic63%
5 shared skills
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators63%
5 shared skills
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners60%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Mechanical
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Time Management
- →Far Vision
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Equipment Maintenance
- ✓Mechanical
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Control Precision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Equipment Maintenance
- ★Mechanical
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Control Precision
- ★Depth Perception
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Operations & Execution (5)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Learn and follow safety regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.94
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.49
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.36
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.36
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.34
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.14
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.9
Initiative
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Independence
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Integrity
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.6k program completions/year
Apex Technical School
Long Island City, NY
788 program completions/year
American River College
Sacramento, CA
774 program completions/year
J F Ingram State Technical College
Deatsville, AL
645 program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
631 program completions/year
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
612 program completions/year
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
596 program completions/year
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
Union, NJ
573 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
559 program completions/year
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
556 program completions/year
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL
535 program completions/year
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
494 program completions/year
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