How long does it take to become an Equipment Operator?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become an equipment operator. That is the time it takes to learn specific equipment operator skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Do heavy equipment operators make good money?

Yes, heavy equipment operators make good money. A heavy equipment operator on average makes $65,500 a year, which is roughly $10,000 higher than the national wage average. A heavy equipment operator can make anywhere between $54,000 and $75,000, with outliers on either side.

Is an interaction designer the same as a UX designer?

No, an interaction designer is not necessarily the same as a UX designer. Although they are often used interchangeably, they generally focus on the overall user experience design process.

What skills do you need to be an equipment operator?

The skills needed to be an equipment operator focus mainly on proper operating procedures, attention to detail, and procedural knowledge, including any safety protocols. The best equipment operators are those who are self-motivated with strong problem-solving abilities. Someone who takes personal pride in their work and has a strict attention to detail. One reason for this is that skilled equipment operators must pick up the movements and flow of the operation quickly.

How To Become An Equipment Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is an equipment operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An equipment operator is an individual who operates heavy machinery and equipment in various industries, such as construction, mining, and agriculture. They are responsible for ensuring that the machinery is used safely and efficiently to complete tasks such as excavating, grading, and transporting materials.They may also be responsible for performing routine maintenance on the equipment they operate. Successful equipment operators possess excellent hand-eye coordination, strong communication skills, and the ability to problem-solve quickly and effectively.

ScoreEquipment OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $31,739

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.87%

Asian 0.93%

Black or African American 7.39%

Hispanic or Latino 18.91%

Unknown 4.33%

White 66.57%

Gender

female 7.04%

male 92.96%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an equipment operator?

Pros

High demand for equipment operators
Good pay and benefits
Opportunity for overtime and bonuses
Variety of equipment to operate
Continual learning opportunities

Cons

Exposure to harsh weather conditions
Risk of injury or accidents
Long hours and irregular schedules
High stress situations
Potential for exposure to hazardous materials

Key steps to become an equipment operator

Explore equipment operator education requirements

Most common equipment operator degrees

High School Diploma

46.2 %

Associate

18.9 %

Bachelor's

17.7 %

Start to develop specific equipment operator skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	9.56%
Loaders	7.15%
Asphalt	5.41%
Backhoe	4.83%
Hand Tools	4.56%

Complete relevant equipment operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New equipment operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an equipment operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real equipment operator resumes.

Research equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate track loader, dozer, excavator, track skid loader, rubber tire loader, and haul truck as assigned.
Operate heavy equipment including loaders and rollers.
Operate bulldozers, compactors, and scrapers for residential land development

Prepare your equipment operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your equipment operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an equipment operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable equipment operator resume templates

Build a professional equipment operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your equipment operator resume.