How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator:
Definitive Guide + Step-by-Step Instructions

What Does a Heavy Machine Operator Do?

If you’re mostly just asking yourself “what does a heavy machine operator even do?” then you’ve come to he right place.

You’d likely see a heavy equipment operator on the side of the road, at a construction site, on farms, or building up or tearing down structures and other obstructions.

A heavy machine operator is the person who is in charge of paving, surfacing, pile driving, moving materials, forklift operating, and other related tasks.

Heavy machine operators are required to operate these machines in order to complete a specific task, care for these machines, and often repair and maintain these machines as well.

Heavy machine operators are also required to keep themselves, the machine, and other working on the project safe around these heavy machines, so they’re required to abide by strict guidelines and procedures in order to accomplish this.

The key responsibilities of heavy equipment operators at work is to control and operate the various machines that move earth, freight, or other materials, and operate construction equipment according to safety standards.

Heavy equipment operators typically prepare sites for construction or maintenance, using machinery.

As defined by the International Union of Operating Engineers can include things like compressors, cranes, dredges, drills, hoists, pumps, and rollers.

You will be expected to inspect, clean, lubricate, and refill equipment.

Even more, you’ll be expected to do all of these tasks under trying work conditions, such as situations that require long hours, strenuous work, and physical stamina.

You might work long night hours, early morning hours, hot and dusty days, freezing conditions, and any other variety.

Duties

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Let's Talk Salary

According to Salary.com, heavy equipment operators can make a median annual salary of about $63,601.

With a spread of about $55,311 to about $74,827, heavy equipment operators have a wide range of salary due to the part time versus full time availability of the positions.

The lowest 10 percent of heavy equipment operators make about $29, 710 while the top 10 percent of heavy equipment operators can make about $81,640.

This range varies on the type of tasks being performed, the equipment being used, and the certifications you have as an operator.

Other reports state that heavy equipment operators made a median annual salary of about $45,040, which is about $8,000 more than the median annual wage for all occupations combined.

The highest paid 10 percent of construction equipment operators are also reported to make $79,000.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

*Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey.
Conducted by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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How to Become a Heavy Machine Operator

Step 1High School Diploma

Obtaining you high school diploma or GED equivalency is a (most of the time) necessary first step in becoming a heavy machine operator.

Although this is not a hard and fast rule, it’s a pre-req that will be necessary if you plan to continue your heavy machinery operation education at colleges and technical schools, and also might be a requirement to get into a union of construction association apprenticeship program.

This is almost might be a requirement for vocational training.

Step 2Research What You Need To Know

Ensure that you’ve thoroughly researched the requirements for your state and establishment you plan to work with.

Do you need a CDL license?

Do you need to have your high school diploma?

Are you qualified and prepared for the demanding job you’re setting yourself up for?

Do your research before you do anything else.

It’s also to take time to research the job expectations and how they line up with your life an family goals — do long hours make sense for you goals and the life you see laid our for yourself?

Do your research before you invest time, money, and effort into this career path.

Step 3Consider a Heavy Equipment Operator Education Program

In the past, all you needed to enter the industry was to get hired on the spot and have some on-the-job-training, but the industry has adapted since then.

Now, operators might need to attend college or technical school programs in order to become heavy machinery experts.

If you’d like to spend months or years taking these courses, that’s fine and good, but if not, there are private heavy equipment operator training schools that are a widely accepted alternative.

Step 4Obtain the Necessary Licenses and Certifications

Some states require different licenses and certificates in order to become a heavy machine operator.

For example, some might need you to posses a valid commercial driver’s license while others might need you to hold special crane licenses.

Some states might require that you have a specific license to operate backhoes, dozers, and loaders, while others don’t require any experience or specialized license at all.

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What Education Do You Need to Become a Heavy Machine Operator?

In the past, a simple high school degree and willingness to learn on the job could have landed you a successful positions as a heavy machine operator, but now, things are a bit different.

The industry encourages, but doesn’t always require, a GED or high school diploma, as well as community college, college, or technical college course completion in heavy machinery courses.

Vocational courses as well as privately-owned heavy equipment operator schools are highly encouraged as well.

The offerings, course structure, and lengths of each program will vary from school to school, some only taking a few weeks to complete and others taking up to a year to complete.

In these courses, you’ll learn hands-on training for common types of equipment, learn the education curriculum necessary to become a heavy machine operator, and learn what’s required to pass any certification exams you might need.

Program costs will range depending on what type of program and where you plan to attend.

It’s likely that these programs will range anywhere from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.

Again, if not interested in spending nearly a year in programs, you can enroll in privately-owned heavy equipment operator training schools as an alternative.

These types of schools can be found throughout the United States.

One of the best examples of this is the Heavy Equipment Colleges of America which operates on 8 different campuses.

Many offer three week programs in heavy equipment operation and include things like classroom study, in-the-field learning, and hands-on training.

Video About The Career

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What Certifications Do You Need to Become a Heavy Machine Operator?

The certification requirements will vary from state to state.

For example, some states will only require a commercial drivers license, while other states will require a special license for specific vehicles such as backhoes, dozers, and loaders.

Several other states will require that you have heavy equipment professional certifications from places like the National Association of Heavy Equipment training Services as well as the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.

CCO certifications are offered for several different types of heavy equipment, including things like boom trucks, pile driver operators, tower crane operators, and more.

Certifications typically last about 5 years each and must be renewed by passing a re certification exam and having about 1,000 hours of heavy machinery experience.

Heavy machine operators are also required to pass substance tests that adhere to NCCCO substance abuse, ethical, and medical guidelines.

Certification Example:

Average Training Program Duration: 0-1 Year

The average training program duration will range anywhere from 3 weeks (if you choose to take on a privately-owned training course) to about a year if you enroll and invest in a vocational or community college education.

This will vary from state to state and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

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Popular Programs

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What is the Job Outlook for Heavy Machine Operators?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of construction equipment operators is projected to grow by about 12 percent from 2016 to 2026.

This employment growth is considered incredibly fast compared the average of occupations, and can be credited to the projected increase in spending infrastructure.

Employment opportunities will be best available in urban, metropolitan areas where large commercial industries are centralized.

 

Employment Growth Projection: 5%

That's a higher than average projected growth of 22,200 jobs.

Heavy Equipment Operator: Interest Over Time

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Should You Become a Heavy Machine Operator?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How Much Does it Cost to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator?

It can cost anywhere from $4,000 to about $15,000 depending on the program you’re enrolling in or the apprenticeship you’re hoping to land.

Q. How Much Does a Heavy Equipment Operator Make a Year?

There’s a reported median salary of about $63,000 for heavy machine operators.

Q. What Education Do You Need?

This will vary. Some states and jurisdictions will require nothing more than a high school education, others will require college courses completed or vocational training completed.

Q. Do You Need a Special License?

This will vary.

Some jurisdictions require nothing more than a valid commercial drivers’ license.

Others will require specific licenses through specific agencies.

Q. What Do You Do as a Heavy Equipment Operator?

As an operator, you will be in charge of accomplishing set tasks with your machine, keeping it clean, reporting big issues, fixing minor problems, and keeping the crew, and yourself, safe.

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