Construction Equipment Operator Career
A career as a construction equipment operator can be incredibly exciting for anyone with a passion for big buildings, roads, bridges and other construction projects. As an equipment operator, you will be directly responsible for contributing to these construction projects by driving, controlling and operating a variety of heavy machinery.
A career as a construction equipment operator can be incredibly exciting for anyone with a passion for big buildings, roads, bridges and other construction projects. As an equipment operator, you will be directly responsible for contributing to these construction projects by driving, controlling and operating a variety of heavy machinery.
Construction Equipment Operator Career Snapshot
Further details on a career as a construction equipment operator are listed below (statistics from the May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average annual salary for construction equipment operators.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a High school diploma or equivalent while 18% have a Post-secondary certificate.
Construction Equipment Operator Education
Although it is technically not required, more than two-thirds of construction equipment operators have a high-school diploma and almost 20 percent have a post-secondary certificate. However, extensive training is required for each piece of heavy equipment you wish to operate, and many employers and regulatory agencies require that all operators be licensed and certified.
Construction Equipment Operator Job Outlook
The total number of U.S. construction equipment operators jobs is expected to increase by approximately 10 percent between 2014 and 2024. Some of this growth is driven by retirement and the turnover rate, but it is also fueled by an expected growth in overall construction. This means that this number could rise even higher should the government begin to focus more on repairing major infrastructure projects as some are predicting.
Construction Equipment Operator Salaries
The necessary skill involved with being a heavy equipment operator means workers are fairly well remunerated. As of May 2016 BLS.gov statistics, the median average salary for construction equipment operators stood at around $45,000 per year, while those in the top 10 percent of the salary range took home nearly $80,000 a year on average. Generally, these higher salaries are reserved for those with certifications and years or decades of experience.
Construction Equipment Operator Job Duties
No matter what type of equipment you work with, the duties of a heavy equipment operator are the same in that it involves maneuvering, driving or controlling the equipment to perform its required function. Of course, the specific duties differ based on whether you’re operating an excavator, hauler, dirt mover, compactor, etc.
Construction Equipment Operator Skills & Traits
| Construction Equipment Operator Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Construction Equipment Operators: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Operation and Control • Operation Monitoring • Monitoring • Coordination | • Control Precision • Depth Perception • Multilimb Coordination • Near Vision | • Dump trucks • Hydraulic truck cranes • Power saws • Mechanical sweepers | • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material • Getting Information • Controlling Machines and Processes |
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