DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

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. Excludes “Crane and Tower Operators" (53-7021) and “Extraction Workers” (47-5000).

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to First Quarter, 2013

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
EDR 3 - Arrowhead	980	68	$24.64/hr	$0.70/hr	$16.62/hr	$19.49/hr	$22.78/hr	$30.89/hr	$34.75/hr
Minnesota	8,270	447	$24.39/hr	$0.46/hr	$15.58/hr	$18.56/hr	$23.28/hr	$30.56/hr	$34.66/hr
U S	335,160	3,687	$22.45/hr	$0.09/hr	$13.14/hr	$15.96/hr	$20.32/hr	$27.49/hr	$35.39/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Leading Industries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Industry OES Employment OES Median Wage Construction 480 $27.63/hr Public Administration 270 $21.36/hr Natural Resources and Mining 170 $27.24/hr Manufacturing 30 $19.96/hr Trade, Transportation and Utilities 20 $15.90/hr

Other Regional Data For Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change  -  EDR 11 - 7 County Twin Cities 2,910 $29.36/hr N/A EDR 3 - Arrowhead 980 $22.78/hr N/A EDR 7W- Central 870 $22.90/hr N/A EDR 10 - Southeast 620 $21.28/hr N/A EDR 4 - West Central 390 $19.56/hr N/A EDR 7E- East Central 370 $24.05/hr N/A EDR 9 - South Central 320 $20.37/hr N/A EDR 8 - Southwest 250 $14.97/hr N/A EDR 5 - North Central 220 $21.94/hr N/A EDR 6E- Southwest Central 210 $20.65/hr N/A EDR 1 - Northwest 200 $17.82/hr N/A EDR 2 - Headwaters 200 $19.62/hr N/A EDR 6W- Upper Minnesota Valley 80 $24.74/hr N/A

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change  -
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	900	$25.53/hr	N/A
Construction Laborers	480	$20.65/hr	N/A
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators	290	$24.26/hr	N/A
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	180	$12.56/hr	N/A
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas	160	$25.04/hr	N/A
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	40	$13.38/hr	N/A
Motorboat Mechanics	40	$16.60/hr	N/A

• Starts engine, moves throttle, switches, and levers, and depresses pedals to operate machines, equipment, and attachments.
• Drives equipment in successive passes over working area to achieve specified result, such as grade terrain or remove, dump, or spread earth and rock.
• Fastens bulldozer blade or other attachment to tractor, using hitches.
• Greases, oils, and performs minor repairs on tractor, using grease gun, oilcans, and hand tools.
• Signals operator to guide movement of tractor-drawn machine.
• Connects hydraulic hoses, belts, mechanical linkage, or power takeoff shaft to tractor.
• Aligns machine, cutterhead, or depth gauge marker with reference stakes and guidelines on ground or positions equipment following hand signals of assistant.
• Adjusts handwheels and depresses pedals to drive machines and control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, and swing booms.
• Repairs and maintains equipment.
• Turns valves to control air and water output of compressors and pumps.