Occupation · SOC 47-2073
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
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.
Median wage
$58,710
$40,080–$100,690
Projected growth
+3.6%
Average growth
Annual openings
1,780
per year
Employed (US)
469,270
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
153 mapped
Core skills
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceMonitoringActive ListeningTroubleshootingTime Management
Knowledge areas
MechanicalEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Facilities management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareOperating system software
Representative tasks
Learn and follow safety regulations.Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.Operate tractors or bulldozers to perform such tasks as clearing land, mixing sludge, trimming backfills, or building roadways or parking lots.Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.Connect hydraulic hoses, belts, mechanical linkages, or power takeoff shafts to tractors.Select and fasten bulldozer blades or other attachments to tractors, using hitches.Operate loaders to pull out stumps, rip asphalt or concrete, rough-grade properties, bury refuse, or perform general cleanup.Operate equipment to demolish or remove debris or to remove snow from streets, roads, or parking lots.Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.Keep records of material or equipment usage or problems encountered.Check fuel supplies at sites to ensure adequate availability.Talk to clients and study instructions, plans, or diagrams to establish work requirements.Drive tractor-trailer trucks to move equipment from site to site.Push other equipment when extra traction or assistance is required.Operate road watering, oiling, or rolling equipment, or street sealing equipment, such as chip spreaders.Operate compactors, scrapers, or rollers to level, compact, or cover refuse at disposal grounds.Test atmosphere for adequate oxygen or explosive conditions when working in confined spaces.Turn valves to control air or water output of compressors or pumps.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Safety regulations and site hazard protocols — recognize and follow under direct supervisor guidance on active construction sites.Potential hazards such as utility lines, overhead obstructions, and co-workers — identify and report before initiating any equipment movement on a job site.Underground service locating procedures — assist in marking pipe and wire locations prior to excavation work under crew leader direction.Basic machine controls including throttles, switches, and levers — operate under close supervision to move construction equipment short distances on a training or low-traffic site.Hand and audio signals from crew members — recognize and respond to correctly while seated in cab during introductory equipment operation tasks.Pre-operation inspection checklists — complete and document for assigned heavy equipment at the start of each shift under supervisor review.Reference stakes and alignment guidelines — read and locate with assistance to position equipment at the correct starting point on a graded site.Routine equipment maintenance tasks such as fluid checks and filter inspections — perform under technician guidance to support daily machine readiness.Active listening skills in a noisy construction environment — apply to receive verbal instructions from crew members and relay information accurately.Time accounting and daily work logs — enter shift hours and equipment usage data into provided software templates under dispatcher or supervisor direction.
developing
Bulldozers, backhoes, and road graders — operate routinely with reduced oversight to complete earthmoving and grading tasks on residential or commercial job sites.Workplace safety regulations including OSHA standards — apply consistently during independent equipment operation, adjusting actions when hazard conditions change.Crew hand signals and radio communications — interpret and act upon with minimal delay to coordinate load placement and machine positioning across a multi-operator site.Depth gauge markers and alignment references — use to independently position cutterheads and equipment within specified tolerances on trench excavation projects.Underground utility locates and as-built drawings — review and cross-reference before beginning dig operations to prevent service strikes on urban job sites.Tractor-drawn machine operators — signal and guide through staged loading and grading sequences, maintaining site production flow without direct supervisor involvement.Minor mechanical adjustments and emergency field repairs — perform on assigned equipment to minimize downtime during active construction shifts.Operations monitoring practices — apply during continuous equipment runs to detect abnormal instrument readings, unusual sounds, or performance changes and respond appropriately.Multilimb coordination across multiple simultaneous controls — demonstrate during routine grading and trenching cycles to maintain consistent cut depth and blade angle.Facilities management and time accounting software — update daily equipment status records and report maintenance needs through established digital systems.
proficient
Full range of heavy construction equipment including pile drivers, trench excavators, and motor graders — operate autonomously across varied site conditions and project phases without routine supervision.Complex or non-routine hazard scenarios such as unstable slopes, confined work zones, or concurrent utility conflicts — assess and resolve independently, adjusting operations to maintain crew safety.Multi-machine coordination across large job sites — direct the sequencing of concurrent equipment activities by interpreting evolving signals, grade plans, and project schedules.Equipment alignment to tight engineering tolerances — achieve independently on challenging terrain by integrating reference stakes, digital grade control data, and depth gauge readings.Comprehensive preventive and corrective maintenance programs — execute and document for assigned fleet, diagnosing mechanical problems and performing or overseeing substantive repairs to minimize project delays.Troubleshooting systematic equipment malfunctions — isolate root causes across hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical systems and implement durable field solutions during active operations.Underground service conflicts during active excavation — identify emerging risks in real time and halt or redirect operations to protect utilities and personnel on complex urban sites.Production scheduling and time management across concurrent equipment tasks — manage personal workload and machine utilization to meet daily and weekly project milestones without supervisor input.New or modified safety procedures — evaluate for practical applicability in the field and implement adjustments to team operating practices before project kickoff meetings.Detailed equipment usage and incident data — compile and analyze using spreadsheet and office suite software to support project reporting and maintenance planning.
advanced
Site-wide safety culture for heavy equipment operations — establish, model, and enforce across all operators and crew members on large-scale construction projects.Equipment operation standards and best practices — develop and document for organizational adoption, drawing on deep field experience to address efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.Junior and mid-level equipment operators — mentor and evaluate through structured on-the-job coaching, providing performance feedback tied to skill progression benchmarks.Fleet maintenance strategies across multiple project sites — design and oversee, coordinating with mechanics and project managers to optimize machine availability and reduce lifecycle costs.Complex multi-phase excavation or grading projects — plan and lead, integrating utility locates, alignment data, crew signals, and equipment sequencing into a cohesive operational approach.Hazard identification and emergency response protocols — author and implement at the organizational level, ensuring all operators are trained and rehearsed before site mobilization.Equipment procurement and technology adoption decisions — advise project leadership on, evaluating new machine capabilities, digital grade control systems, and telematics tools against project requirements.Cross-trade coordination with civil engineers, surveyors, and subcontractors — lead to resolve alignment conflicts, grade disputes, and underground service issues that affect project scope or schedule.Regulatory inspections and compliance audits involving heavy equipment operations — represent the organization, demonstrating records, procedures, and operator qualifications to OSHA and other authorities.Organizational performance metrics for equipment utilization and operator productivity — define, track through facilities management and time accounting systems, and report to senior leadership for strategic planning.
Also known as
172 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ExcavatorCritical Skills Operator (Marine Corps 0372)Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Operations Chief (Marine Corps 0393)Infantry Unit Leader (Marine Corps 0369)Engineer Senior Sergeant (Army 12A)Quarrying Specialist (RC) (Army 12G)GraderNuclear Weapons Apprentice (Air Force 2W231)Tank Officer (Marine Corps 1802)Self Propelled Artillery Systems Mechanic (Army 91P)Power Shovel EngineerEquipment Operating EngineerOperating EngineerDragline EngineerHorizontal Construction Engineer (Army 12N)Combat Engineer (Marine Corps 1371)Constructionman (Navy CN)Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician (Marine Corps 7011)Maintenance OperatorMaterial Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force 1Z431)Gradall OperatorConstruction Bulldozer OperatorHydraulic Hammer OperatorM1A1 Tank Master Gunner (Marine Corps 1867)Scarifier OperatorBulldozer OperatorUtility-Tractor OperatorLand LevelerBack Hoe OperatorAutomotive Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army 915A)Equipment DriverArmor (Army 19A)Nuclear Weapons Journeyman (Air Force 2W251)Maintainer OperatorDigging Machine OperatorMaster Chief Constructionman (Navy CU)Landfill Heavy Equipment Operator (Landfill HEO)Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember (Army 13M)Construction Equipment Repairer (Army 91L)