DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Occupational 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. Excludes “Crane and Tower Operators" (53-7021) and “Extraction Workers” (47-5000).| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| EDR 10 - Southeast | 620 | 80 | $23.27/hr | $1.33/hr | $14.35/hr | $17.52/hr | $21.28/hr | $28.25/hr | $36.15/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. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Construction Laborers | 570 | $17.02/hr | N/A |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | 170 | $16.40/hr | N/A |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | 150 | $23.01/hr | N/A |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | 140 | $17.79/hr | N/A |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators | 80 | $17.79/hr | N/A |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 60 | $16.30/hr | N/A |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | 20 | $20.46/hr | N/A |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | N/A | $17.17/hr | N/A |
| Motorboat Mechanics | N/A | $17.12/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- 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.