Heavy Equipment Operator

The Heavy Equipment Operator Program teaches students how to operate heavy machinery such as heavy articulating rock trucks, loaders, excavators, backhoes, dozers and graders. These machines are used universally for all manner of heavy construction, earth moving, road building, mining, forestry, mega projects all included.

The Heavy Equipment Operator Program usually consists of a 4 week in school theory course combined with anywhere between 200-600 hours of operating the machine, depending on the type of machine. Of all the machines, the Grader takes the longest in terms of actual operating experience with 600 hours needed for graduation.

After graduating, the Heavy Equipment Operator Technician will also be responsible for the basic maintenance of equipment, safety around equipment and the compliance of markers, grades and stakes.

Careers

Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Wage: $56,000
10 Year Growth Rate: -21.0%
Education Requirements:
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Wage: $48,290
10 Year Growth Rate: 5.0%
Education Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
Wage: $45,000
10 Year Growth Rate: -2.0%
Education Requirements:

Material Moving Occupations
Wage: $38,380
10 Year Growth Rate: 7.0%
Education Requirements: