Career: Construction Equipment Operators
Can you see yourself at the controls of a bulldozer, a crane, a road grader, or a trench excavator? Does the thought of someday walking down a street and pointing to a bridge, a highway, or a building and saying, "I made that" appeal to you?
If so, you may want to consider a career as a construction equipment operator. Your work will be strenuous but you’ll be able to use these awesome machines every day to turn the visions of architects and engineers into concrete reality.
Construction equipment operators use machinery to move construction materials, dig soil, pave and surface roads, and much more.
Did You Know?
- Construction equipment is becoming more computerized and takes special training to operate.
Are You Ready To...?
- Work outdoors in all types of weather
- Control equipment by moving levers or foot pedals, operating switches, or turning dials
- Set up and inspect equipment
- Take care of equipment and make small repairs
- Follow safety guidelines
- Work long or irregular hours
It Helps to Be...
Physically strong, good with machines, coordinated, careful, and able to work well on your own and as part of a team.
Make High School Count
- Take classes in mechanical drawing and shop.
- Take driver’s ed and perfect your driving skills.
- Work for a local construction company in the summers.
- Volunteer with a program like Habitat for Humanity.
- Take classes in auto mechanics, which will help you later when it’s part of your job to perform basic maintenance on construction equipment.
Did You Know?
- Construction equipment operators who are trained to operate several different types of construction equipment are often called operating engineers.
Outlook
Government economists expect job opportunities for construction equipment operators to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. As population and business growth create a need for new houses, factories, schools, hospitals, offices, and highways, more construction equipment operators will be needed.
Compensation
In 2006 the average yearly earnings of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators were $40,560, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
