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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Compare to another career

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $59,850/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$42,190$101,090

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 41,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceMonitoringTime ManagementActive ListeningTroubleshootingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionCoordination
Top knowledge areas
MechanicalEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingTransportation
Core tasks

• Learn and follow safety regulations.

• Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.

• Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.

• Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.

• Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.

• Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.

• Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.

• Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?

The median pay for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators is $59,850 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?

Employment for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators is projected to change +3.6% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?

About 41,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.