Heavy Equipment Operator

What does a heavy equipment operator do?

Heavy Equipment Operators 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.

TYPES OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT

Motor Grader

Bulldozer

Front loader

Backhoe

WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS

$60,000/yr

Average Annual Wage for Heavy Equipment Operators in the U.S.

66,000

Annual Projected Job Openings

Average demand and outlook

are you a good fit to be Heavy Equipment Operator ?

People starting in this career usually have:

Average or above average coordination when using controls
Safety mindset
A preference to work with things rather than people or ideas
High school diploma or equivalent
No work experience
1 to 12 months of on-the-job training

sKILLS & Day to day Activities

sKILLS

Operations
Communications
Lifting Ability
Management
Good Driving Record
Loading And Unloading
Customer Service
Teamwork
Coordinating
Time Management

Day to day activities

Operate excavation equipment.
Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
Receive information or instructions for performing work assignments.
Signal others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Clean facilities or work areas.
Move materials, equipment, or supplies.
Shovel materials.
Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.
Measure product or material dimensions.
Verify information or specifications.

PROS AND CONS OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATING

PROS

Heavy equipment operators receive specialized training that can be applied to different types of construction jobs
Heavy equipment operators are in demand
Heavy equipment operator's salary increases as their skills and training increase

CONS

This type of work can lead to adverse health affects
If you like working independently with little oversight, this may not be the career for you