Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Tasks Include:
- Learn and follow safety regulations.
- Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
- Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.
- Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
- Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
- Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.
- Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
- Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
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The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: +8.8%
National: +4.6%
Education
High School Diploma
Job Zone:
Two: Some Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$51,430.00
State
$47,350.00
Regional
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Description
Career Cluster: | Architecture & Construction |
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.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Education
Required Level of Education
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 81.72%
- Some College Courses = 16.34%
- Less than a High School Diploma = 1.39%
- Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) = 0.55%
Related Work Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 36.61%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 22.80%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 19.89%
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 16.34%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 3.33%
- None = 0.41%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 0.39%
- Up to and including 1 month = 0.24%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- None = 36.48%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 21.16%
- Up to and including 1 month = 19.36%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 18.59%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 2.68%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 1.74%
On-the-Job Training
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 36.83%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 21.54%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 21.16%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 18.63%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 1.26%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 0.57%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Learn and follow safety regulations.
- Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
- Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.
- Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
- Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
- Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.
- Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
- 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.
- Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
- Operate tractors or bulldozers to perform such tasks as clearing land, mixing sludge, trimming backfills, or building roadways or parking lots.
- Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
- Connect hydraulic hoses, belts, mechanical linkages, or power takeoff shafts to tractors.
- Operate loaders to pull out stumps, rip asphalt or concrete, rough-grade properties, bury refuse, or perform general cleanup.
- Select and fasten bulldozer blades or other attachments to tractors, using hitches.
- Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.
- Keep records of material or equipment usage or problems encountered.
- Operate equipment to demolish or remove debris or to remove snow from streets, roads, or parking lots.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Check fuel supplies at sites to ensure adequate availability.
- Test atmosphere for adequate oxygen or explosive conditions when working in confined spaces.
- Operate compactors, scrapers, or rollers to level, compact, or cover refuse at disposal grounds.
- Talk to clients and study instructions, plans, or diagrams to establish work requirements.
- Operate road watering, oiling, or rolling equipment, or street sealing equipment, such as chip spreaders.
- Perform specialized work, using equipment, such as pile drivers, dredging rigs, drillers, or concrete pumpers.
- Push other equipment when extra traction or assistance is required.
- Drive tractor-trailer trucks to move equipment from site to site.
- Turn valves to control air or water output of compressors or pumps.
- Compile cost estimates for jobs.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Tools and Technology
Tools Include:
- Conventional truck cranes (15-ton truck cranes)
- Hydraulic truck cranes (18-ton hydraulic cranes)
- Agricultural tractors (20-ton tractors)
- Adjustable wrenches
- Kettle exchangers (Aeroil propane kettles)
- Air compressors
- Track bulldozers (Angle dozers)
- Dredgers (Aquatic weed harvesters)
- Welders (Arc welders)
- Compactors (Asphalt compactors)
- Road pavers (Asphalt pavers)
- Bituminous material distributors (Asphalt spreader boxes)
- Axes
- Backhoe boom or boom sections (Backhoe attachments)
- Backhoes
- Loading equipment (Barrier movers)
- Drain or pipe cleaning equipment (Basin machines)
- Dump trucks (Belly dumpers)
- Track loaders (Belt loaders)
- Blades or tooth or other cutting edges (Blade attachments)
- Elevating scrapers (Box scrapers)
- Earthmoving buckets or its parts or accessories (Bucket attachments)
- Wheel bulldozers (Bulldozers)
- Power saws (Chain saws)
- Hazardous material protective apparel (Chemical-resistant clothing)
- Articulating boom lift (Cherry pickers)
- Chip Spreaders
- Land drilling rigs (Churn drills)
- Power saws (Circular saws)
- Power saws (Concrete saws)
- Track bulldozers (Crawler dozers)
- Agricultural rollers (Cultipackers)
- Curbing machines (Curb pavers)
- Blow torches (Cutting torches)
- Demolition equipment kits (Demolition machines)
- Cargo trucks (Dempster dumpers)
- Derricks
- Desktop computers
- Ditchers (Ditching machines)
- Draglines
- Dredgers (Dredges)
- Workshop presses (Drill presses)
- Ear plugs
- Front end loaders (End loaders)
- Extendable conveyors (Extender conveyors)
- Cargo trucks (Flatbed trucks)
- Forklifts
- Front end loaders
- Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus (Gas welders)
- Graders
- Power grinders (Grinders)
- Road rooters (Groovers)
- Curbing machines (Gutter pavers)
- Hammers
- Harrows
- Dump trucks (Heavy dump trucks)
- Track excavators (Heavy duty excavators)
- Hoists
- Hydraulic truck cranes (Hydraulic boom trucks)
- Hydraulic truck cranes (Hydraulic cranes)
- Jacks (Hydraulic jacks)
- Articulating boom lift (Hydraulic telescoping boom utility trucks)
- Blades or tooth or other cutting edges (Industrial scrapers)
- Pneumatic hammer (Jackhammers)
- Land drilling rigs
- Road pavers (Laydown machines)
- Levels
- Paint sprayers (Mainline paint stripers)
- Manlift or personnel lift (Manlifts)
- Measuring wheels for distance (Measuring wheels)
- Scrubbing machines (Mechanical sweepers)
- Milling machines
- Mobile excavators (Mini excavators)
- Conveyor rails (Monorails)
- Graders (Motor graders)
- Mowers
- Scrubbing machines (Multipurpose vacuum catch basin cleaners)
- Bituminous material distributors (Oiling equipment)
- Paving breakers (Pavement breakers)
- Personal computers
- Picks
- Light trucks or sport utility vehicles (Pickup trucks)
- Threading dies (Pipe threaders)
- Post hole digger (Post hole diggers)
- Power drills
- Power sanders
- Power saws
- Respirators
- Asphalt finishers (Road finishing machines)
- Water trucks (Road watering equipment)
- Paving breakers (Robotic concrete busters)
- Pick or place robots (Robotic machines)
- Rollers
- Lifts (Ross carriers)
- Track cranes (Roustabout cranes)
- Wheel excavators (Rubber-tired excavators)
- Rulers
- Sprayers (Runway deicers)
- Safety boots
- Safety glasses
- Protective gloves (Safety gloves)
- Saws
- Wheel loaders (Scoopmobiles)
- Pulled scrapers (Scrapers)
- Screwdrivers
- Seeder attachment (Seeders)
- Drain or pipe cleaning equipment (Sewer rodding machines)
- Joint cleaning or refacing machines (Shot blasters)
- Shovels
- Hoists (Silent hoists)
- Dump trucks (Single axle dump trucks)
- Skid steer loaders
- Skid steer loaders (Skid steer machines)
- Skid steer loaders (Skip loaders)
- Snow blowers
- Snowplow attachments (Snowplows)
- Scrubbing machines (Sweepers)
- Tampers
- Dump trucks (Tandem axle dump trucks)
- Water trucks (Tankers)
- Tape measures
- Telescoping boom lift (Telescopic forklifts)
- Graders (Tilt graders)
- Track excavators (Tracked hydraulic excavators)
- Front end loaders (Tracked loaders)
- Agricultural tractors (Tractors)
- Lifts (Travel lifts)
- Forestry saws (Treecutters)
- Trenching machines (Trenchers)
- Conventional truck cranes (Truck cranes)
- Flatbed trailers (Truck trailers)
- Gas generators (Truck-mounted generators)
- Hoists (Tugger hoists)
- Rollers for lawn or sports grounds (Turf quakers)
- Pulled scrapers (Turn-a-pulls)
- Two way radios
- Post hole digger (Two-man augers)
- Metal detectors (Utility locators)
- Vacuum pumps
- Land drilling rigs (Vertical drills)
- Mowers (Verticutters)
- Vibratory plates (Vibratory compactors)
- Water pumps
- Weeders (Weedeaters)
- Wheel loaders
- Winches
Technologies Include:
- Facilities management software
- Maintenance record software
- Time accounting software
- Work record software
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
64.00 | Mechanical | Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
58.25 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
53.25 | Public Safety and Security | Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
78.00 | Operation and Control | Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
56.25 | Equipment Maintenance | Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. |
56.25 | Operations Monitoring | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
53.00 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
50.00 | Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
50.00 | Troubleshooting | Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. |
50.00 | Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
78.00 | Control Precision | The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
75.00 | Depth Perception | The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. |
72.00 | Multilimb Coordination | The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. |
72.00 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
65.50 | Far Vision | The ability to see details at a distance. |
62.50 | Rate Control | The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. |
59.50 | Reaction Time | The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. |
56.25 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. |
56.25 | Response Orientation | The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part. |
56.25 | Arm-Hand Steadiness | The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
53.00 | Perceptual Speed | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
53.00 | Visualization | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
53.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
53.00 | Manual Dexterity | The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
50.00 | Static Strength | The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. |
50.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
50.00 | Visual Color Discrimination | The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. |
50.00 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
50.00 | Hearing Sensitivity | The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness. |
50.00 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
50.00 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
50.00 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
50.00 | Auditory Attention | The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds. |
50.00 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
50.00 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
50.00 | Finger Dexterity | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
50.00 | Time Sharing | The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources). |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
90.75 | Controlling Machines and Processes | Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
90.25 | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. |
89.50 | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
87.25 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
86.75 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
85.00 | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials | Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
81.50 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
78.75 | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment | Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
77.00 | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
74.50 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
73.75 | Handling and Moving Objects | Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
71.75 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
71.50 | Performing General Physical Activities | Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
70.25 | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
70.00 | Scheduling Work and Activities | Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
67.75 | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
67.00 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
65.50 | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People | Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
65.25 | Communicating with People Outside the Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
65.25 | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others | Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
64.75 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
64.25 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
64.00 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
62.25 | Developing Objectives and Strategies | Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
61.75 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
58.75 | Coaching and Developing Others | Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
56.50 | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others | Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
54.75 | Training and Teaching Others | Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
52.50 | Assisting and Caring for Others | Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
52.25 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
51.00 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
50.00 | Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment | Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
98.50 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
87.25 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
84.00 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
84.00 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
83.50 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
78.50 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
78.50 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
78.00 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
76.75 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
74.50 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
73.25 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
73.25 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
73.00 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
72.75 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
59.00 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
54.50 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
66.67 | Support | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
50.00 | Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
100.00 | Outdoors, Exposed to Weather | How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions? |
99.60 | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? |
97.20 | Consequence of Error | How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? |
96.80 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
96.60 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
93.80 | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? |
93.00 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
93.00 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
91.20 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
90.20 | Exposed to Contaminants | How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
87.40 | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results | How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? |
87.00 | In an Open Vehicle or Equipment | How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)? |
86.60 | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety | How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? |
83.80 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
83.20 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
81.60 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
80.80 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
80.80 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
80.20 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
80.20 | In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment | How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? |
79.80 | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) |
78.80 | Exposed to Whole Body Vibration | How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer)? |
78.20 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
76.60 | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable | How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? |
75.80 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
72.60 | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? |
70.40 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
69.80 | Deal With External Customers | How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
67.20 | Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings? |
63.20 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
62.00 | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? |
61.40 | Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body | How much does this job require bending or twisting your body? |
58.40 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
58.20 | Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting | How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions? |
56.60 | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People | How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? |
56.40 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
55.80 | Spend Time Standing | How much does this job require standing? |
54.80 | Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? |
51.80 | Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | How much does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Overall Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $36,750.00 | $51,430.00 | $68,330.00 |
Virginia | $36,120.00 | $47,350.00 | $56,890.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | $43,122.80 | $52,460.67 | $63,515.68 |
Bay Consortium | $39,002.49 | $50,457.34 | $60,665.14 |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $37,449.62 | $47,796.90 | $53,400.86 |
Central VA/Region2000 | $31,464.42 | $41,283.75 | $51,036.95 |
Crater Area | $37,731.68 | $46,774.06 | $55,038.45 |
Greater Peninsula | $37,847.39 | $46,856.71 | $52,365.62 |
Hampton Roads | $37,370.07 | $48,212.24 | $52,992.76 |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $34,842.91 | $41,398.43 | $49,411.76 |
Northern Virginia | $44,164.25 | $54,922.74 | $64,109.76 |
Piedmont Workforce | $36,099.26 | $49,000.56 | $57,656.53 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | $36,647.87 | $46,328.76 | $52,796.45 |
Southwestern Virginia | $37,872.19 | $47,243.12 | $62,864.78 |
West Piedmont | $36,132.32 | $46,797.82 | $53,455.62 |
Western Virginia | $36,060.00 | $42,924.43 | $50,412.91 |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 418,000 | 437,300 | +4.6% |
Virginia | 10,015 | 10,894 | +8.8% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | 204 | 235 | +15.2% |
Bay Consortium | 467 | 515 | +10.3% |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | 1,809 | 2,047 | +13.2% |
Central VA/Region2000 | 171 | 182 | +6.4% |
Crater Area | 135 | 148 | +9.6% |
Greater Peninsula | 530 | 575 | +8.5% |
Hampton Roads | 1,384 | 1,516 | +9.5% |
New River/Mt. Rogers | 295 | 302 | +2.4% |
Northern Virginia | 2,229 | 2,577 | +15.6% |
Piedmont Workforce | 550 | 611 | +11.1% |
Shenandoah Valley | 693 | 727 | +4.9% |
South Central | 382 | 368 | -3.7% |
Southwestern Virginia | 408 | 314 | -23.0% |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | 466 | 492 | +5.6% |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Hoist and Winch Operators
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Crane and Tower Operators
- Millwrights
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Pile Driver Operators
- Construction Laborers
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Helpers--Extraction Workers
- Riggers
- Highway Maintenance Workers
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
- Dredge Operators
Careers in Construction Pathway:
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons
- Carpenters
- Carpet Installers
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Construction Laborers
- Construction Managers
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
- Conveyor Operators and Tenders
- Crane and Tower Operators
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
- Dredge Operators
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
- Electricians
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
- Extraction Workers, All Other
- Fence Erectors
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
- Floor Sanders and Finishers
- Glaziers
- Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
- Helpers--Carpenters
- Helpers--Electricians
- Helpers--Extraction Workers
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Helpers--Roofers
- Hoist and Winch Operators
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
- Insulation Workers, Mechanical
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
- Material Moving Workers, All Other
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance
- Paperhangers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Pile Driver Operators
- Pipelayers
- Plasterers and Stucco Masons
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
- Riggers
- Rock Splitters, Quarry
- Roof Bolters, Mining
- Roofers
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
- Segmental Pavers
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers
- Stonemasons
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
- Tapers
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
- Tile and Stone Setters
- Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
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Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Military Training
The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:
- Construction Equipment Operation
- Not Occupationally Qualified, General
- Munitions Systems
- Horizontal Construction Engineer
- Combat Engineer
- Aircraft Armament Systems
- Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Aircraft Handling
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Titles
- Angle Dozer Operator
- Back Hoe Operator
- Backhoe Operator
- Blade Grader Operator
- Blade Operator
- Bulldozer Engineer
- Bulldozer Operator
- Bush Hog Operator
- Cable Engineer
- Car Runner
- Carrier Operator
- Catshovel Driver
- Clamshell Engineer
- Crane Engineer
- Crane Operator
- Derrick Engineer
- Digging Machine Operator
- Ditcher Operator
- Ditching Machine Engineer
- Ditching Machine Operating Engineer
- Ditching Machine Operator
- Dragline Engineer
- Dump Attendant
- Elevating Grader Operator
- Equipment Driver
- Equipment Operating Engineer
- Equipment Operator
- Excavating Machine Operator
- Excavator Operator
- Form Grader Operator
- Gang Mower Operator
- Gradall Operator
- Grader
- Grader Operator
- Grader Patrol
- Grading Machine Operator
- Heater Planer Operator
- Heavy Equipment Operating Engineer
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Heavy Machinery Operator
- Heavy Road Construction Equipment Operator
- Hoe Runner
- Hoisting Engineer
- Hydraulic Hammer Operator
- Land Leveler
- Landfill Grader
- Lift Slab Operator
- Loader Operator
- Loading Machine Operator
- Locomotive Crane Engineer
- Machine Operator
- Maintainer Operator
- Maintenance Operator
- Motor Grader Operator
- Muck Operator
- Mucker Operator
- Mucking Machine Operator
- Operating Engineer
- Operating Engineer Apprentice
- Paver Operator
- Pipe Fitter
- Power Grader Operator
- Power Shovel Engineer
- Road Equipment Operator
- Road Grader
- Road Grader Operator
- Road Hogger Operator
- Road Machine Operator
- Road Machine Runner
- Road Roller Engineer
- Rooter Operator
- Rotary Soil Stabilizer
- Sander
- Sanitary Landfill Operator
- Scarifier Operator
- Scrap Drop Engineer
- Scraper Operator
- Shovel Engineer
- Slab Lifting Engineer
- Stabilizer Operator
- Steam Shovel Engineer
- Steam Shovel Operating Engineer
- Steam Shovel Operator
- Steam Shovel Runner
- Street Roller Engineer
- Track Hoe Operator
- Truck Driver
- Utility Tractor Operator
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Related Schools
- Atlantic Technical College
- Bakersfield College
- Bridgerland Technical College
- Buckeye Joint Vocational School
- Butte College
- Central Arizona College
- Central Community College
- Central Lakes College-Brainerd
- Chippewa Valley Technical College
- College of Southern Nevada
- Community College of Allegheny County
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College
- Cuyahoga Community College District
- Douglas Education Center
- Erwin Technical College
- Flagler Technical College
- Flathead Valley Community College
- Florida Panhandle Technical College
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Great Oaks Career Campuses
- Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
- Hazard Community and Technical College
- Hocking College
- Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee
- Indian River State College
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Joliet Junior College
- Kiamichi Technology Center-McAlester
- Lake Area Technical College
- Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
- Miami Valley Career Technology Center
- Mid-EastCTC-Adult Education
- Mid-State Technical College
- Miles Community College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Mountainland Technical College
- Nicolet Area Technical College
- North Arkansas College
- North Central Kansas Technical College
- Northwest Iowa Community College
- Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
- Northwood Technical College
- Ocean County Vocational-Technical School
- Pearl River Community College
- Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
- Polytech Adult Education
- Pontotoc Technology Center
- Putnam Career and Technical Center
- Salish Kootenai College
- Santiago Canyon College
- Schuylkill Technology Center
- Shasta College
- Sitting Bull College
- Southern Maine Community College
- Southern Oklahoma Technology Center
- Stanly Community College
- State Technical College of Missouri
- SUNY College of Technology at Alfred
- The University of Montana
- Trinidad State College
- Turtle Mountain Community College
- United Tribes Technical College
- Utah State University
- Wake Technical Community College
- Washburn Institute of Technology
- Washington County Community College
- West Hills College-Coalinga
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)