skip to main content

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

General Information

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.

Explore this career in the Military

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Architecture & Construction

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+3%
Read More
No Information for this section

Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$51,430

Median Military Salary Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

$50,937

Explore this career in the Military

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$23,050
$85,840
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 81%
  • Some college 16%
  • Less than high school 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.
  • Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • English Language
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Education and Training

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

No Information for this section