How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator (Skills & Pay)

Most maintenance job roles include overseeing heavy equipment, but not everyone has the experience to operate this kind of machinery. In fact, the more technical and expensive a piece of equipment is, the more you’ll want someone who’s experienced at making it run smoothly. This is where the heavy equipment operator job role comes into play.

But what exactly does it take to operate a forklift or crane? What skills and job training programs are required to maneuver these unwieldy machines? And how can you benefit from this career? Read on to learn more about the current need for heavy equipment operators and whether or not this is the right job for you.

What Does a Heavy Equipment Operator Do?

There are an estimated 515,000 construction equipment operators currently employed in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics and that’s expected to increase by 4 percent from 2023 to 2033. So, to say there’s a need for workers to fulfill these roles in the maintenance and construction industries would be an understatement.

And what exactly the job entails lies in the name — these people handle machinery such as bulldozers, cranes and loaders. They’re also responsible for the repair and maintenance of these machines, therefore requiring knowledge about their infrastructure.

Let’s look at the example of operating a crane. Knowing how much weight the crane can carry and whether or not it’s balanced is crucial to ensure it doesn’t tip or cause any other structural damage. When the equipment is malfunctioning or has sustained damage, it is the job of the heavy machine operator to report it to their supervisor. Operating the equipment requires a team, so coordination with other crew members is essential to ensuring that the machine will do its job smoothly.

What Skills Does Being a Heavy Equipment Operator Require?

Becoming a heavy equipment operator requires a vast amount of technical knowledge. Depending on the type of equipment — whether it be a forklift, crane or scraper — each comes with its own special needs and required skillsets in order for them to be used correctly and safely. These important skills are typically learned in a trade school program, where it’s better to specialize in a specific type of machine because of their particular requirements. General skills to operate heavy weight machines include:

Communication skills: It truly does take a village to use these machines safely and effectively when lifting heavy loads. One misunderstanding between an operator and their maintenance supervisor could lead to a bad accident, but this can be avoided with clear, patient and direct communication.
Hand-eye-foot coordination: When operating a crane in a manufacturing setting, it is crucial to know how to place extremely heavy materials in the right place. An operator will use their hands and feet to control the equipment, while looking to see precisely where a certain load needs to be placed.
Ability to work at heights: On a construction site, an operator may have to maneuver their equipment from off the ground, which is a safety risk to themselves and the others around them. This skill requires knowledge of fall risks as well as the proper use of safety equipment.
Familiarity with hand and power tools: To perform any type of maintenance on a machine, an operator may have to use tools such as an electric drill or air compressor to ensure the machine is fit to function. If a malfunction occurs on the job, adept knowledge on how to fix it will minimize any delay on a project.
Physical capability: Operators may work long hours when they have to be focused on their tasks for the safety of themselves and others. Additionally, being able to adapt to sudden changes in the environment or machinery comes from agility and strength.

Most Common Types of Heavy Equipment

Now you know what a heavy equipment operator does and what it requires. But what are the types of machines that you could choose to operate? Here are some examples:

Backhoe: Used for excavation in construction, landscape maintenance and other job sites. It can transport materials as well as dig up the ground.
Bulldozer: Used for pushing and moving materials, primarily soil or debris. It can also clear land and transport materials short-range, making them useful for construction, mining, agriculture and manufacturing.
Crane: Used to lift, position and maneuver heavy objects. Some can also pull or push objects, but their primary function is to lift objects high into the air and move them vertically and horizontally.
Dumb truck: Used primarily in the transportation of dirt, sand, gravel and other loose materials that are on the ground to clear it for other use.
Excavator: Used to create wells, trenches and pits by digging up the earth. They are able to be fitted with attachments that allow them to perform a variety of functions.
Front-end loader: Used for transporting and digging materials such as dirt and debris, which can be utilized for agriculture and general construction projects.
Motor grader: Used for grading and leveling surfaces, which is important in the construction of roads and building grounds.
Skid steer: Used for a variety of tasks due to it having “arms” that can be fitted with attachments such as buckets, mowers and forks.

How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator

You can typically become a heavy equipment operator in three steps. First, you must have a high school diploma, ensuring you received a secondary education. Then, you will attend trade school or go through an apprenticeship program, both of which will teach you the vital skills that are required to operate these heavy machines.

Lastly, you will create a resume that includes your proficiency in the general skills mentioned above as well as your hands-on knowledge of how to operate the machines in question. Note: Some pieces of equipment will also require you to have a commercial driver’s license.

Heavy Equipment Operator Pay Range

The salary for a heavy equipment operator varies depending on many factors, including years of experience, where you’re located and, of course, whether you’re applying to a full-time or part-time job.

ZipRecruiter reports that the average U.S. salary for a heavy equipment operator is around $49,330 a year (or an average hourly rate of $24). But it’s worth noting that the highest paid position in this field tends to be a crane operator, who can make an annual salary of $85,000.

Benefits of Becoming a Heavy Equipment Operator

Now that we covered the essentials of what it takes to become a heavy equipment operator, why would you want to become one?

Increasing demand: Becoming a heavy equipment operator is a skilled profession. The job requires precision, technical skills, and knowledge and safety awareness. Due to the skilled labor shortage in the U.S., there’s a growing need for trained operators.
Hands-on work: Operating heavy machinery is the perfect profession for someone who enjoys working with their hands. In most cases, an operator will also be able to see the results of their hard work.
Fair compensation without a college degree: Becoming a heavy equipment operator only requires trade school or an apprenticeship, which takes up to two years. The skills learned in these two years are particularly well compensated due to their level of specialization. The more specialized an operator’s skills become, the higher they can typically get paid.