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Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR - Bureau of Labor Statistics

Construction Equipment Operators

Job prospects. Job opportunities for construction equipment operators are expected to be good because the occupation often does not attract enough qualified candidates to fill jobs. Some workers’ reluctance to work in construction makes it easier for willing workers to get operator jobs.

In addition, many job openings will arise from job growth and from the need to replace experienced construction equipment operators who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the job for other reasons. Construction equipment operators who can use a wide variety of equipment will have the best prospects. Operators with pipeline experience will have especially good opportunities if, as expected, natural-gas companies expand work on their infrastructure.

Employment of construction equipment operators, like that of many other construction workers, is sensitive to fluctuations in the economy. Workers in these trades may experience periods of unemployment when the overall level of construction falls. However, shortages of these workers may occur in some areas during peak periods of building activity.

Projections data from the National Employment Matrix
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2008
 Projected Employment,
2018		 Change, 2008-18 Detailed Statistics
Number Percent
Construction equipment operators 47-2070 469,300 525,500 56,200 +12%
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators 47-2071 60,200 67,200 6,900 +12%
Pile-driver operators 47-2072 4,600 5,200 600 +13%
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators 47-2073 404,500 453,200 48,700 +12%
NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.

 

Earnings About this section

Wages for construction equipment operators vary. In May 2008, median hourly wages of wage and salary operating engineers and other construction equipment operators were $18.88. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.78 and $25.49. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.47, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33.34. Median hourly wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of operating engineers were as follows:

Nonresidential building construction $21.45
Highway, street, and bridge construction $21.20
Utility system construction $19.79
Other specialty trade contractors $18.61
Local government $17.19

 

Median hourly wages of wage and salary paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators were $16.00 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.94 and $20.75. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.77, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $26.70. Median hourly wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators were as follows:

Other specialty trade contractors $16.16
Highway, street, and bridge construction $16.13
Local government $15.94

 

In May 2008, median hourly wages of wage and salary piledriver operators were $23.01. The middle 50 percent earned between $17.52 and $32.94. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14.25, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $38.01. Median hourly wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of piledriver operators were as follows:

Other specialty trade contractors $26.07
Other heavy and civil engineering construction $23.24
Nonresidential building construction $20.46
Utility system construction $19.54

 

Hourly pay is relatively high, particularly in large metropolitan areas. However, annual earnings of some workers may be lower than hourly rates would indicate because work time may be limited by bad weather. About 27 percent of construction equipment operators belong to a union.