Last Updated: May 15th, 2022 by
People who work on construction sites operate a wide range of tools. They range from small hand tools to more significant power tools.
However, there is also heavy equipment that requires specially-trained operators to run.
This guide will walk you through how to become a heavy equipment operator.
As you continue reading, you’ll also discover what the job will require you to do and what pay you can expect for your efforts.
Visit our Career Guide for a list of all our job insights for an in depth look at the new career path you are considering.
Job Description
In this role, your job is to operate heavy equipment on job sites by using levers, pedals, valves, and other controls.
The equipment you’ll handle could include construction equipment, paving and surfacing equipment, and pile driving equipment.
You’ll operate that equipment on job sites with plenty of colleagues around.
Keeping everyone safe will require you to coordinate tasks with others through communication devices or hand signals.
At the same time, you’re also responsible for the well-being of your heavy equipment.
That means you must clean, maintain, and repair that equipment regularly to keep it in excellent shape.
Read our related article on How to Become a Stone and Brick Mason. If you like working with your hands, be sure to check out this career guide before you go!
What Does an Average Day for a Heavy Equipment Operator Look Like?
Learning how to become a heavy equipment operator requires less time in the classroom and more time on the job site.
So, you must understand what it’s like to be on the job daily before deciding if this career is for you.
Here’s what an average day will look like for you like a heavy equipment operator:
Monitor Job Site and Tasks
You’ll start your day by monitoring the job site to understand what’s going on and what you’ll need to do.
Any jobsite will have plenty of moving parts. So, you must know where all the heavy equipment is and what tasks your colleagues are performing before you can join in.
Position and Prepare Heavy Machinery
When your tasks for the day are clear, you’ll then move your heavy machinery into position and prepare it for the day.
For example, you might have to fuel and inspect an excavator before safely moving it to your job site section.
Or, if you’re operating a static piece of heavy machinery like a crane, climbing up to your cabin or cockpit will also take some time.
With so many workers on a job site and many other pieces of heavy equipment moving around, this task always comes with a certain degree of risk.
Perform Job Tasks
Then, you’ll work alongside several colleagues and other heavy machinery operators to perform your job tasks for the day.
For example, you might operate a wheel loader to pick up raw materials and load them into a dump truck.
Even a straightforward task like this will require several operators and other workers to coordinate closely.
Heavy construction equipment is operated in several different ways.
You’ll be using levers and foot pedals in many cases, relying on your hand-foot-eye coordination to work smoothly.
However, some types of heavy equipment also have more complex controls like joysticks and control panels.
Inspect and Maintain Equipment
You’re also responsible for the well-being of your heavy equipment.
So, that means monitoring and inspecting it throughout your day. When necessary, you’ll also maintain your equipment.
Your goal is to keep your heavy equipment functioning and minimize downtime as much as possible.
Pursue Further Training
Whether on-the-job or during your free time, you will also devote a part of your day to pursuing further training.
This part of your day is critical to refresh and update your knowledge, ensuring that you operate your equipment safely and efficiently.
Process for Becoming a Heavy Equipment Operator
The process of learning how to become a heavy equipment operator is pretty straightforward without many variations.
That means your experience will be the same as other heavy equipment operators that you meet on the job.
Overall, the process emphasizes more hands-on skills training, though some academic study is still necessary.
Here’s what the process will look like for you:
1. Start in High School
Your journey to become a heavy equipment operator can begin while you’re still in high school. Most employers will require you to have a high school diploma at a minimum.
However, you can also take helpful courses like automotive mechanics, math, and anything related to construction or equipment handling.
Taking these courses in high school will give you early exposure to subjects you’ll learn in greater detail later.
2. Tertiary Education
After high school, pursuing a college or university degree is not necessary.
However, getting a training certificate or something similar from a vocational school or community college could help you get a job later.
Some more high-tech institutions might have equipment simulators that you can use as part of your learning process.
3. Gain Hands-On Experience
Aside from some classroom learning, hands-on experience is the most crucial thing you need to become a heavy equipment operator.
There are a few ways that you can go about gaining that experience.
Firstly, you’ll likely get some experience operating heavy equipment while pursuing your training certificate at a vocational school or community college.
However, the number of hours of experience is also likely limited in those settings.
Secondly, you can also gain hands-on experience on-the-job by getting an entry-level role with an employer or working as a Temp. Construction companies, for example, will usually start by training you to use light equipment.
Eventually, they’ll train you to handle heavy equipment when you’re ready.
4. Pursue an Apprenticeship
Some heavy equipment operators get their training and experience through an apprenticeship. This process takes 3-4 years and combines technical learning with on-the-job training.
As an apprentice, you’ll work under the guidance of a qualified and experienced heavy equipment operator.
This direct form of mentorship not only speeds up your training and learning process but also helps you learn from their mistakes, as well.
When you complete your apprenticeship, you’ll begin working independently with less supervision.
5. Get Licensed
Some states might require you to get a license to work as a heavy equipment operator.
For starters, you’ll need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to move your equipment to and from job sites.
However, some states will also require you to have special licenses based on the types of heavy equipment you’ll operate.
Are You Suited for a Heavy Equipment Operator Career? Skills, Credentials, Tools and Technology
The process of learning how to become a heavy equipment operator goes beyond what you learn in the classroom or during training.
Here are some of the personality traits, skills, and proficiencies that you’ll need to succeed as a heavy equipment operator:
Personality and Skills
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights physical strength and stamina, mechanical skills, and hand-eye-foot coordination as being crucial for this line of work.
You’ll spend long hours operating heavy machinery with your hands and legs, for starters. Your physical strength is necessary to move the levers and gears that control your machine.
Besides that, physical stamina ensures that you can work that way for several hours at a time. The heavy machinery you use will essentially become an extension of yourself.
So, having strong mechanical skills will help you work effectively while also maximizing your safety.
Lastly, you’ll need excellent hand-eye-foot coordination to control the levers and pedals necessary to perform tasks with your heavy machinery.
Credentials and Proficiencies
As for proficiencies, the Occupational Information Network (O*Net) highlights operations monitoring, equipment maintenance, and active listening as the most important ones.
Your understanding of operations monitoring will help you keep an eye on the tasks you’re performing and those happening around you.
On top of that, you’re also responsible for the general well-being of your machinery.
So, being proficient in equipment maintenance will minimize problems and downtime, letting you get back to work quickly.
Lastly, knowing active listening strategies will allow you to communicate better with your teammates, ensuring a safe and efficient work environment for all.
How Does a Heavy Equipment Operator Find Work?
While you’re learning how to become a heavy equipment operator, you should also plan how you’ll later find work.
The most efficient way to do this is to focus your job search on industries that need heavy equipment operators the most.
That way, you’ll know the industry has plenty of positions for operators like you, which employers must fill at some point.
Focusing on those industries also increases the chances of you landing a job. That’ll save you plenty of time and effort in the long run.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these industry sectors are the ones that hire heavy equipment operators the most:
- Specialty trade contractors
- Local and state governments
- Utility system construction companies
- Highway, street, and bridge construction companies
You can search for jobs with companies in those sectors by:
- Checking their official websites for job postings
- Calling or emailing them directly to ask about current or future job openings
- In some cases, visiting them personally to discuss job openings
No matter the approach you use, try to submit a copy of your resume or CV to the potential employer.
Having your details on file will make it easier for them to contact you about future heavy equipment operator jobs.
What is the Average Salary of a Heavy Equipment Operator?
Another way for you to decide if it’s worth learning how to become a heavy equipment operator is to understand how much you could potentially earn in this role.
Data by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that this role pays an average of $56,280 a year. The same data also shows that:
- The top 90th percentile earns $85,560, and
- The bottom 10th percentile earns $36,150.
Where Do Heavy Equipment Operators Earn the Most?
The average salaries for heavy equipment operators are higher in some states than in others.
The BLS lists these as the 5 highest-paying states for this role:
- New Jersey: $83,230 a year
- New York: $81,840 a year
- Hawaii: $78,360 a year
- California: $78,320 a year
- Illinois: $77,250 a year
Read More: Hardware Store Jobs. Not sure if working on-site is for you? Play another role in construction by working in Hardware.
How Do You Earn More as a Heavy Equipment Operator?
You can increase your earning potential as a heavy equipment operator in 2 ways: additional skills and leadership.
Firstly, training and certifications are essential in this line of work. Learning to operate a wider range of heavy equipment will make you more valuable to current and future employers.
Besides that, you should also prepare yourself for leadership roles.
Understanding leadership principles and even taking courses on that topic will help you achieve supervisory and management positions that pay better.
Heavy Equipment Operator Job Outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the field, which they label as ‘construction equipment operators’, to grow by 5% until 2030.
However, the BLS considers that rate to be ‘slower than average’ compared to other career paths.
Despite growing at a somewhat slower rate, the field is growing nonetheless.
That means you and anyone else interested in learning how to become a heavy equipment operator can expect more available jobs in the industry over the next few years.
Still, you should never forget that there are several categories of heavy equipment operators that you can focus on in your career.
Besides that, there are also specific types of equipment that you can specialize in operating.
Top 3 Categories of Heavy Equipment Operators
Generally, heavy equipment operators fall into one of 3 categories. They are:
- Operating Engineers: Your focus is on operating power construction equipment in this category. Your tasks include digging and moving materials from one location on a job site to another. You’ll also operate supporting equipment like pumps, air compressors, and more.
- Paving and Surfacing Equipment Operators: Working in this area means that you’ll focus on constructing roads and similar structures. The heavy equipment you’ll operate is those that move, spread and level road materials like asphalt, concrete, and others.
- Pile Driver Operators: Major construction works like buildings, walls, and bridges all require the support of piles. You’ll drive those wood, steel, or concrete piles deep into the ground using heavy equipment mounted on cranes and other surfaces.
5 Common Types of Heavy Equipment
No matter the type of heavy equipment operator you choose to be, there is a long list of heavy machines that you’ll work with on your job site.
However, here are 5 of the most common types of equipment that you’ll encounter and learn to operate:
- Dump Truck: A dump truck has one straightforward purpose: to move building materials in bulk around a worksite. When you’re behind the wheel of this vehicle, you’ll work alongside operators in machines that load and unload the materials from your truck.
- Backhoe: With a backhoe, you can perform a wider range of tasks. The vehicle has a load shovel or bucket on its front and a backhoe on its rear. You can use these parts of the machine to dig holes or move materials, including loading or unloading dump trucks.
- Compactor: Some jobs will require you to compact soil or materials on the ground, like asphalt for building a road. You’ll need a compactor for that, also known as a steamroller. Its heavy weight will compact any material that you drive it over.
- Skid Steer: Skid steers are slightly smaller, making them more maneuverable in tight spaces. You can attach many different heavy tools to its moveable arm, including those to dig holes and move materials.
- Wheel Loader: Lastly, you have the wheel loader. As the name suggests, this heavy equipment specializes in moving materials and items from one point to another. You’ll likely find a bucket attached to the front, though some can attach forks for lifting containers and pallets.
Professional Associations
You’ll always work with teammates when you learn how to become a heavy equipment operator.
Aside from your teammates on the job site, you can also network with past and future colleagues through industry associations like:
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
Heavy Construction Contractors Association (HCCA)
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
Top Colleges and Schools
You can learn how to become a heavy equipment operator at tertiary institutions like community colleges and heavy equipment training schools.
These institutions provide both the initial training you need to start your career and any other training you need.
Some of the best colleges and schools for heavy equipment operators include: