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Operating Engineers and Other Construction 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.
Other titles employers use
Back Hoe Operator · Engineering Equipment Operator · Equipment Operator (EO) · Forklift Operator · Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) · Hot Mix Asphalt Operator · Machine Operator · Motor Grader Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Troubleshooting
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Useful strengths
- Control Precision
- Depth Perception
- Multilimb Coordination
- Near Vision
- Far Vision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.8 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.7 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 83%
- A certificate or some college 17%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Operating system software
- Facilities management software
- Time accounting software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 47,380
- Job openings each year
- 4,300
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 47,380 | 4,300 | 14.2% |
| California | 38,100 | 3,450 | 13.4% |
| Florida | 32,610 | 2,930 | 12.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 24,540 | 2,100 | 3.3% |
| North Carolina | 17,070 | 1,520 | 10.6% |
| New York | 16,780 | 100 | 6.5% |
| Colorado | 14,100 | 1,270 | 11.8% |
| Ohio | 14,100 | 1,200 | 3.1% |
| Georgia | 12,960 | 1,160 | 11.0% |
| Illinois | 12,850 | 1,110 | 4.9% |
| Arizona | 12,450 | 1,090 | 7.3% |
| Virginia | 11,290 | 960 | 2.0% |
| Tennessee | 11,060 | 1,060 | 25.3% |
| Alabama | 11,050 | 970 | 8.3% |
| Washington | 11,040 | 1,110 | 11.7% |
| Indiana | 10,360 | 880 | 1.8% |
| Michigan | 10,250 | 860 | — |
| Missouri | 9,870 | 860 | 6.4% |
| Wisconsin | 9,850 | 890 | 12.6% |
| South Carolina | 8,240 | 720 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | 8,060 | 680 | 2.3% |
| Iowa | 7,540 | 670 | 9.6% |
| Minnesota | 7,510 | 670 | 10.0% |
| Utah | 7,300 | 710 | 29.9% |
| Louisiana | 7,190 | 640 | 9.8% |
| Oklahoma | 7,170 | 620 | 5.9% |
| Kansas | 7,020 | 600 | 4.3% |
| Maryland | 6,840 | 600 | 7.5% |
| Kentucky | 6,720 | 580 | 5.2% |
| New Jersey | 6,450 | 560 | 4.9% |
| Arkansas | 5,600 | 480 | 5.1% |
| Oregon | 5,510 | 500 | 14.8% |
| New Mexico | 5,440 | 490 | 11.5% |
| Nevada | 4,850 | 430 | 8.7% |
| Mississippi | 4,680 | 430 | 13.9% |
| Montana | 4,590 | 430 | 20.5% |
| North Dakota | 4,550 | 410 | 12.3% |
| Idaho | 4,500 | 410 | 17.2% |
| Wyoming | 4,150 | 360 | 6.1% |
| Massachusetts | 3,660 | 320 | 6.7% |
| Nebraska | 3,350 | 290 | 7.7% |
| Connecticut | 3,240 | 290 | 13.3% |
| Alaska | 3,230 | 300 | 16.2% |
| Maine | 2,360 | 190 | −2.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 2,230 | 190 | 7.7% |
| South Dakota | 2,190 | 200 | 10.6% |
| New Hampshire | 1,610 | 140 | 7.3% |
| Delaware | 1,470 | 130 | 5.8% |
| Vermont | 1,080 | 90 | 8.0% |
| Rhode Island | 790 | 70 | 9.7% |
| District of Columbia | 560 | 50 | 14.3% |
| Guam | 520 | 50 | −3.7% |
| Virgin Islands | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
Career to college
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