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What is a maintenance equipment operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a maintenance equipment operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $17.51 an hour? That's $36,428 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 76,300 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreMaintenance Equipment OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.8

Avg. Salary $36,428

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.3

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.81%

Asian 1.53%

Black or African American 17.32%

Hispanic or Latino 25.32%

Unknown 3.70%

White 50.32%

Gender

female 4.04%

male 95.96%

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
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Maintenance equipment operator career paths

Key steps to become a maintenance equipment operator

  1. Explore maintenance equipment operator education requirements

    Most common maintenance equipment operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    44.8 %

    Associate

    18.4 %

    Bachelor's

    18.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific maintenance equipment operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CDL12.90%
    Asphalt9.01%
    Hand Tools6.51%
    Dump Truck6.34%
    Mowing6.27%
  3. Research maintenance equipment operator duties and responsibilities

    • Certify in structural steel (ICC/AWS), concrete (ACI) and soils.
    • See operator, run a mower with a fecon head.
    • Perform job functions all under company safety guidelines and dot regulations.
    • Operate side boom and forklifts.
  4. Prepare your maintenance equipment operator resume

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

    Build a professional maintenance 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 maintenance equipment operator resume.
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
    Maintenance Equipment Operator Resume
  5. Apply for maintenance equipment operator jobs

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

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

How did you land your first maintenance equipment operator job

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Average maintenance equipment operator salary

The average maintenance equipment operator salary in the United States is $36,428 per year or $18 per hour. Maintenance equipment operator salaries range between $28,000 and $47,000 per year.

Average maintenance equipment operator salary
$36,428 Yearly
$17.51 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do maintenance equipment operators rate their job?

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Maintenance equipment operator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Cons

Broke down equipment


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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