Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

General Information

Description

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Explore this career in the military

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

Responsibility
Exposure to job hazards
Physical activity
Decision making
Repetitiveness
Level of competition
Time pressure

Industry areas

Architecture & Construction

Job Outlook

Overall employment of construction equipment operators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 50,800 openings for construction equipment operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.