Career Profile
Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators
Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings and other structures.
General Information
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. Excludes Extraction Workers (47-5000) and Crane and Tower Operators (53-7021).
Important Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
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Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators
Occupational Outlook
For the Rural Capital Area
Job Opportunities
Over the next five years, an average of 249 openings per year are projected for Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators.
Employment Change
Employment for Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators is forecasted to increase on par with the regional average by 13.9% between 2023 and 2028.
Earnings Potential
An average worker in this occupation is paid $21.87/hour. Entry level workers are paid $17.71, while experienced workers are paid $24.68. The median wage is comparable to average regional wages across occupations.
Local Employment Opportunities
There are 1,738 Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators in the RCA region. By 2028 this number could reach 1,979.
Top Employing Industries, Locally
The top industries employing Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators are Other Specialty Trade Contractors, Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction, and Utility System Construction.
Knowledge Areas
The top most significant knowledge categories for Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators include Mechanical, English Language, and Public Safety and Security.
Educational Attainment Patterns
The most common level of education for Operating Engineers & Other Construction Equipment Operators is HS diploma or less. 0% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree.