Job Duties 

Heavy Equipment Operators may: 

Control levers and pedals on a machine to lower a bucket or scoop up material, and to lift, swing, or dump the material 

Guide a machine along a ditch line and excavate a trench 

Turn hand wheels on a machine to adjust a blade attachment during road scraping 

Lower an attachment to spread wet concrete 

Position piling and move levers to start a power-driven hammer to drive the piles into the earth 

Position a crane boom and move levers to lower a dragline bucket to dig or scoop up earth materials

Drive a road roller to compact the earth

Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met

Perform maintenance duties such as cleaning, greasing, and oiling machines

To see heavy equipment operators or operating engineers at work click  here .

Heavy Equipment Operators may use hand tools to add and remove attachments. Some of the machines they operate include: 

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES 

Heavy Equipment Operators may specialize in these areas: 

850.683-010   BULLDOZER OPERATORS drive gasoline- or diesel-powered tractors equipped with a curved blade across the front, to gouge out, level, and distribute earth and to uproot trees and push rocks in order to clear land. Bulldozers may also push or pull other earth-moving equipment and trucks.

859.683-030   ROAD-ROLLER OPERATORS drive a heavy rolling machine to compact earth, subgrades, and blacktop surfaces in the construction of highways, streets, and runways.

859.682-018   PILE-DRIVER OPERATORS operate equipment to drive piling as foundations for structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.

853.663-014   CONCRETE-PAVING-MACHINE OPERATORS drive machines to spread and smooth freshly poured concrete surfaces for concrete roads and landing fields.

853.663-010   ASPHALT-PAVING-MACHINE OPERATORS drive machines that spread and level hot-mix bituminous paving material on prepared subgrades of highways and streets.

850.663-022   MOTOR-GRADER OPERATORS operate a vehicle equipped with a scraper blade to spread and level road beds.

850.683-030   POWER-SHOVEL OPERATORS drive machines equipped with movable shovels to excavate or move coal, dirt, rock, sand, and other materials.

850.683-038   SCRAPER OPERATORS operate tractor-drawn or self-propelled scrapers to move, haul, and grade earth on roadbeds, ditch banks, and water reservoirs or at other construction sites.

859.683-010    OPERATING ENGINEER

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also wish to explore the following Career Explorations Scripts: 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

Heavy Equipment Operators work under a supervisor, crew leader, or professional engineer. They work outdoors in all types of weather. Their surroundings may also be noisy, dirty, and dusty.

The work is physically tiring because of the constant movement and vibration of the machines, pulling levers, turning wheels, and the need to be alert constantly. They may be exposed to hazards such as overturning machinery, collapsing excavations, breaking power lines, snapping cables, and breaking parts on machinery.  Some work time may be lost on construction jobs because of extreme weather conditions or due to down-time on machinery.

The regular workweek for Heavy Equipment Operators is 40 hours, 5 days a week. When under pressure to complete a job by a certain date, however, they may work 50 or more hours a week. Upon completion of a job, they may be unemployed for some time before starting other work. Job sites may be in areas away from home, which requires travel and living in temporary quarters.

Heavy Equipment Operators must generally buy their own safety hats, ear protectors, glasses, shoes, and clothing. They may have to provide their own hand tools. 

Most Heavy Equipment Operators belong to  The International Union of Operating Engineers . Union members must pay dues. 

You Should Prefer: 

• Working with and driving machinery and equipment

• Working outdoors in all types of weather

• Performing work which produces things that can be touched

You Should Be Able To:

• Read engineering drawings

• Practice good safety habits

• Work in dusty or dirty surroundings

• Follow instructions and meet set standards

• Judge distances and slopes accurately

• Make decisions based on verifiable standards

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve: 

A machine at work includes two hydraulic cylinders with pistons 4.5 inches and 5 inches in diameter. Fluid under pressure exerts force on the ends of the pistons. The pressure exerts force on the ends of the pistons. The pressure per square inch is equal everywhere in the system. If 40,500 pounds of force are exerted on the smaller piston, what total force is pushing on the larger piston? 

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend: 

Should be able to read engineering plans and blueprints in accordance with specific jobs. 

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce: 

Prepare a monthly work schedule, indicating times, locations, and job specifications. 

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate: 

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills in studying engineering plans and blueprints. 

Apprentice applicants may be required to take an aptitude test. Some Operators are required to have a chauffeur's license depending on the type of equipment being operated. 

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation. 

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Explorations Script: 

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0300  AUTOMOTIVE , 0500  BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Explorations Script. 

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Explorations Script.   

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

029   OPERATING ENGINEER

Many people enter occupations within this Career Explorations Script through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job. 

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB 

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM 

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at  http://www.myfuture.com .

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

Each year the military completes hundreds of construction projects. Tons of earth and building material must be moved to build airfields, road, dams, and buildings. Construction equipment operators operate bulldozers, cranes, graders, and other heavy equipment used in military construction. 

What They Do

Construction equipment operators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Drive bulldozers, road graders, and other heavy equipment to cut and level earth for runways and roadbeds

• Lift and move steel and other heavy building materials using winches, cranes, and hoists

• Dig holes and trenches using power shovels

• Remove ice and snow from runways, roads, and other areas using scrapers and snow blowers

• Operate mixing plants to make concrete and asphalt

• Spread asphalt and concrete with paving machines

• Drill wells using drilling rigs

• Place and detonate explosives

• Locate wiring and Pipelines prior to work

• Learn safety Regulations

• Check the necessary fuel supply levels

• Load and move large equipment and debri using shovels, cranes, trailors, and graders

• Coordinate machine and equipment movement by following hand signals and audio instructions from other workers

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include shop mechanics. Helpful attributes include: 

• Interest in operating heavy construction equipment

• Preference for working outdoors

Training Provided

Job training consists of 4 to 12 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice operating construction equipment. Course content typically includes: 

• Operation of different types of construction equipment

• Maintenance and repair of equipment

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. The Army and the Navy offer certified apprenticeship programs for one specialty in this occupation. 

Physical Demands

Some specialties require normal hearing, color vision, and heavy lifting. 

Work Environment

Construction equipment operators work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. They often sit for long periods and are subject to loud noise and vibrations. They may work indoors while repairing equipment. 

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian construction equipment operators work for building contractors, state highway agencies, rock quarries, well drillers, and construction firms. Civilian construction equipment operators may also be known as operating engineers, heavy equipment operators, well drillers or riggers. 

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY     

Experience can be gained through the military services or a formal apprenticeship program. Those who have skills in running farm equipment have a good background for this work. 

School-to-Work opportunities include: 

Informal apprenticeships 

Mentorships 

Job shadowing experiences 

Touring a local Heavy Equipment Operator employer 

Internships 

Volunteer work with a Heavy Equipment Operator employer 

Community service work with an agency 

Heavy Equipment Operators usually enter this occupation through an apprenticeship.  A few Operators work for several years as helpers (oilers) while gaining experience in this field. Workers may apply to construction firms and to local and state highway departments. Newspaper want ads, local unions, or local offices of the Michigan Works! may have helpful information for job seekers.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as: 

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT    

Wage rates for Heavy Equipment Operators vary according to the machine operated, its capacity, type of work performed, and the site. Earnings also depend on the steadiness of employment. Time may be lost because of layoffs, bad weather, or down-time on machinery.

Nationally, Operating Engineers in residential construction earned an average hourly wage of $28.19 in early 2009.   In 2008, median weekly earnings were $749 or about $18.73 per hour for Operating Engineers.  The median hourly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $18.05 in 2008.

In Michigan, the union hourly rate for most Operating Engineers employed by private road construction firms ranged between $34.30 and $54.83, including fringe benefits (early 2009). 

Equipment Operators employed by the State of Michigan earned between $15.16 and $23.09 per hour in mid 2009. 

The 2007 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan working in jobs related to this occupation earned a beginning average of $10.37 per hour in 2008.

Operating Engineers may receive hospitalization, disability, and life insurance, vacation and holiday pay, and pension plans from either the employer or a union fund. 

After completing training, trainees advance to operator jobs. With experience, they may become crew leaders. Some may become supervisors, but opportunities are few. Others may start their own contracting business. 

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 504,300 Heavy Equipment Operators were employed in 2006. Employment is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Because of the increased mechanization and automation of some operations, fewer Heavy Equipment Operators may be required. Opportunities will be best for individuals who have completed apprenticeship training. About 7.0% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Heavy Equipment Operators looked like this: 

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

There are approximately 10,550 Heavy Equipment Operators employed in Michigan. Most worked in the construction industry for general contractors, building contractors, and special trade contractors who worked on projects such as highways, bridges, pipelines, and buildings. Many worked in government, for the State Department of Transportation or county road commissions. 

Employment of Heavy Equipment Operators is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014. An average of 380 Heavy Equipment Operators openings is predicted annually, with about 100 due to growth and 280 to replacement. Additional openings will occur to replace workers who transfer to other jobs or occupations. In late 2008, there were 102 apprentices in training for this occupation and 19 completed their training program during the prior 12 months. 

The number of Heavy Equipment Operators needed in the future depends largely on the economy and the amount of construction being done. Public utility and other commercial and industrial construction have been growing slowly. Road construction and repair projects in Michigan continue to have a positive impact on the overall employment of heavy equipment operators. Skilled workers who can operate a variety of machines and equipment are more likely to find steady work than less-skilled workers. 

MICHIGAN EMPLOYMENT TO 2014 (for operating engineers)  

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  Copyright © 2009 Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth