How long does it take to become a Heavy Equipment Operator?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a heavy equipment operator. That is the time it takes to learn specific heavy 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.

Which heavy equipment operators make the most money?

Crane and backhoe heavy equipment operators typically make the most money. The national average salary for all heavy equipment operators is around $35,000 to $40,000 in a year. This equals about $15 to $20 an hour for an hourly wage.

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

What is a heavy equipment operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A heavy equipment operator is an individual who operates various types of heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, excavators, and cranes. Their job involves using these machines to move materials, dig trenches, level terrain, and perform other construction-related tasks. Heavy equipment operators work in a variety of settings, including construction sites, mines, and quarries. Overall, heavy equipment operators play a vital role in the construction industry by helping to build and maintain infrastructure.

ScoreHeavy Equipment OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $39,822

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.88%

Asian 0.93%

Black or African American 7.03%

Hispanic or Latino 18.38%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.45%

Gender

female 5.19%

male 94.81%

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 a heavy equipment operator?

Pros

Good pay and benefits
Job security
Hands-on and active work
Opportunity to operate and learn about different types of heavy equipment
Potential for overtime pay

Cons

Exposure to dust, noise, and vibrations
Long hours and physically demanding work
Risk of injury or accidents
Weather conditions can impact work schedules
Need to constantly pay attention to surroundings and safety protocols

Key steps to become a heavy equipment operator

Explore heavy equipment operator education requirements

Most common heavy equipment operator degrees

High School Diploma

54.2 %

Associate

16.1 %

Bachelor's

11.8 %

Start to develop specific heavy equipment operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Loaders	9.44%
Backhoe	6.41%
CDL	5.95%
Asphalt	5.09%
Safety Regulations	4.78%

Complete relevant heavy equipment operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New heavy 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 a heavy equipment operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real heavy equipment operator resumes.

Research heavy equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate trucks and equipment such as backhoe, dump trucks, front-end loader, hydraulic excavator, skid steers and bulldozers.
Operate heavy equipment including, but limit to, backhoe, excavators, bobcats, forklifts, trucks and wheel loaders.
Operate equipment used for construction purposes such as tankers, cranes, bulldozers, loaders, compost mixers and excavators.

Prepare your heavy equipment operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your heavy 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 a heavy 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 heavy equipment operator resume templates

Build a professional heavy 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 heavy equipment operator resume.

Apply for heavy equipment operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a heavy equipment operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do heavy equipment operators rate their job?

4.6/5

Based on 5 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Heavy equipment operator reviews

4.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023

Pros

Different challenges to overcome and adapt to get work done

Cons

Sitting idle with nothing to do

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022

Pros

The power off the equipment the finish grade off the work and being safe

Cons

Broke down equipment

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

Its what I know and I am good at it . With that said always be open to constructive criticism so you can continue to grow in this field

Cons

Young bucks that come in with no it all temperaments without the experience. They can get you hurt in this line of work. Remember everything can kill you when dealing with heavy equipment

What is a heavy equipment operator and how to become one

What are the pros and cons of being a heavy equipment operator?

Heavy equipment operator career paths

Key steps to become a heavy equipment operator

Explore heavy equipment operator education requirements

Most common heavy equipment operator degrees

Start to develop specific heavy equipment operator skills

Complete relevant heavy equipment operator training and internships

Research heavy equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Prepare your heavy equipment operator resume

Choose from 10+ customizable heavy equipment operator resume templates

Apply for heavy equipment operator jobs

How did you land your first heavy equipment operator job

Average heavy equipment operator salary

How do heavy equipment operators rate their job?

Heavy equipment operator reviews

Heavy equipment operator FAQs

How long does it take to become a Heavy Equipment Operator?

Do heavy equipment operators make good money?

Is an interaction designer the same as a UX designer?

Which heavy equipment operators make the most money?

Search for heavy equipment operator jobs

Heavy equipment operator jobs by state