🔧 Skilled Trades
↑ 4% growth · Average
Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy equipment operators run bulldozers, excavators, cranes, graders, and forklifts to move earth and materials on construction sites, mines, and ports. Crane operators earn the most — up to $100K+ in major cities.
$54,010
Median Salary
466K
US Jobs
3 years (apprenticeship)
Training
$0–$5,000
Typical Cost
💰 Salary & Earning Potential
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.
📈 Job Outlook
4%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
466K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
NCCCO Crane Certification or IUOE Apprenticeship
Required Credential
NCCCO Crane Certification or IUOE Apprenticeship
🎓 Training & Education
Typical Program
Equipment Operator Apprenticeship or Certificate
Program Length
3 years (apprenticeship)
Typical Tuition
$0–$5,000
Work Setting
Construction, mining, ports/logistics, roadbuilding
🏆 Credential Required: NCCCO Crane Certification or IUOE Apprenticeship
☀️ Day in the Life
A typical day as a Heavy Equipment Operator involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Construction environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✅ Strong job security
- ✅ Rewarding work
- ✅ Clear career progression
- ✅ Growing demand
Challenges
- ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
- ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
- ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region
🏫 Schools and programs related to Heavy Equipment Operator
USA Career Finder combines federal education datasets, state-approved training lists, workforce training provider lists, and licensing-board sources where available. Always confirm program availability, cost, admissions requirements, and licensing eligibility directly with the school.
Federal dataset match
Trade School
Philadelphia Technician Training
📍 Philadelphia, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Gadsden State Community College
📍 Gadsden, AL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Ivy Tech Community College
📍 Indianapolis, IN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto
📍 Salida, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville
📍 Shelbyville, TN
Associate
Federal dataset match
Community College
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
📍 Lexington, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
📍 Bowling Green, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Kirkwood Community College
📍 Cedar Rapids, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Washburn Institute of Technology
📍 Topeka, KS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Morristown
📍 Morristown, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
State Technical College of Missouri
📍 Linn, MO
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro
📍 Murfreesboro, TN
Associate
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Livingston
📍 Livingston, TN
Associate
Federal dataset match
Community College
Owensboro Community and Technical College
📍 Owensboro, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hohenwald
📍 Hohenwald, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario
📍 Ontario, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson
📍 Dickson, TN
Associate
Federal dataset match
Community College
South Georgia Technical College
📍 Americus, GA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
📍 Perkinston, MS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McMinnville
📍 McMinnville, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southern Union State Community College
📍 Wadley, AL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central Community College
📍 Grand Island, NE
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Lincoln Technical Institute-South Plainfield
📍 South Plainfield, NJ
Associate
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crump
📍 Crump, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology
📍 Wichita, KS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Dakota County Technical College
📍 Rosemount, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson
📍 Jackson, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northeast Alabama Community College
📍 Rainsville, AL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
📍 De Queen, AR
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northeast Mississippi Community College
📍 Booneville, MS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northwest State Community College
📍 Archbold, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville
📍 Hartsville, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest
📍 Newbern, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Coahoma Community College
📍 Clarksdale, MS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Estrella Mountain Community College
📍 Avondale, AZ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
📍 Elizabethton, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville
📍 Nashville, TN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Waukesha County Technical College
📍 Pewaukee, WI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
📍 Pleasant Gap, PA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
George C Wallace Community College-Dothan
📍 Dothan, AL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northwest Shoals Community College
📍 Muscle Shoals, AL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Jefferson Community and Technical College
📍 Louisville, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Gateway Community and Technical College
📍 Florence, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Career College of Northern Nevada
📍 Sparks, NV
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
📍 Green Bay, WI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
📍 Elizabethtown, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
📍 Morrilton, AR
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Hopkinsville Community College
📍 Hopkinsville, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-McKenzie
📍 McKenzie, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville
📍 Knoxville, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District
📍 Chillicothe, OH
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southeast Community College Area
📍 Lincoln, NE
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll
📍 Paris, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Washington County Career Center-Adult Technical Training
📍 Marietta, OH
Award
Federal dataset match
Career College
San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield
📍 Bakersfield, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Maysville Community and Technical College
📍 Maysville, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College
📍 Minden, LA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski
📍 Pulaski, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education
📍 York, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Indianapolis
📍 Indianapolis, IN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Carrington College-Phoenix North
📍 Phoenix, AZ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southeastern Community College
📍 West Burlington, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Collins Career Technical Center
📍 Chesapeake, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville
📍 Crossville, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Fremont
📍 Fremont, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southwestern Illinois College
📍 Belleville, IL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northeast Iowa Community College
📍 Calmar, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
📍 Prestonsburg, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
📍 Florence, SC
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Enterprise State Community College
📍 Enterprise, AL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Henderson Community College
📍 Henderson, KY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Grand Rapids Community College
📍 Grand Rapids, MI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
West Shore Community College
📍 Scottville, MI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Scioto County Career Technical Center
📍 Lucasville, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County
📍 Newark, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Oconee Fall Line Technical College
📍 Sandersville, GA
Associate
Federal dataset match
Community College
Louisiana Delta Community College
📍 Monroe, LA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Harriman
📍 Harriman, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Wake Technical Community College
📍 Raleigh, NC
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Lamar Institute of Technology
📍 Beaumont, TX
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro
📍 Jacksboro, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
📍 Valdosta, GA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Washington County Community College
📍 Calais, ME
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mississippi Delta Community College
📍 Moorhead, MS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Grand River Technical School
📍 Chillicothe, MO
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis
📍 Memphis, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Career College
San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center
📍 Fresno, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southern Regional Technical College
📍 Thomasville, GA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
North Central Kansas Technical College
📍 Beloit, KS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
George C Wallace State Community College-Selma
📍 Selma, AL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
North Georgia Technical College
📍 Clarkesville, GA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Illinois Valley Community College
📍 Oglesby, IL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Iowa Central Community College
📍 Fort Dodge, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
North Iowa Area Community College
📍 Mason City, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southwestern Community College
📍 Creston, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
East Mississippi Community College
📍 Scooba, MS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
South Louisiana Community College
📍 Lafayette, LA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
San Bernardino Valley College
📍 San Bernardino, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
📍 Chicago, IL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Iowa Lakes Community College
📍 Estherville, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Garden City Community College
📍 Garden City, KS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Cuyahoga Community College District
📍 Cleveland, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
River Parishes Community College
📍 Gonzales, LA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Technical College
Berks Career & Technology Center
📍 Leesport, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Moraine Valley Community College
📍 Palos Hills, IL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Indian Hills Community College
📍 Ottumwa, IA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Neosho County Community College
📍 Chanute, KS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Ashland Community and Technical College
📍 Ashland, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
📍 Paducah, KY
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southwestern Michigan College
📍 Dowagiac, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Mid-Plains Community College
📍 North Platte, NE
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Clackamas Community College
📍 Oregon City, OR
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Western Dakota Technical College
📍 Rapid City, SD
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Oneida-Huntsville
📍 Huntsville, TN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Philadelphia
📍 Philadelphia, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southern Maine Community College
📍 South Portland, ME
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
H Councill Trenholm State Community College
📍 Montgomery, AL
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Danville Area Community College
📍 Danville, IL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Prairie State College
📍 Chicago Heights, IL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Marshalltown Community College
📍 Marshalltown, IA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Eastern Maine Community College
📍 Bangor, ME
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Pine Technical & Community College
📍 Pine City, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Metropolitan Community College Area
📍 Omaha, NE
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Lakes Region Community College
📍 Laconia, NH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southeast New Mexico College
📍 Carlsbad, NM
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Blue Mountain Community College
📍 Pendleton, OR
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Luzerne County Community College
📍 Nanticoke, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Northampton County Area Community College
📍 Bethlehem, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Reading Area Community College
📍 Reading, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Shoreline Community College
📍 Shoreline, WA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Moraine Park Technical College
📍 Fond du Lac, WI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Nicolet Area Technical College
📍 Rhinelander, WI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
📍 Fennimore, WI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College
Arkansas State University-Newport
📍 Newport, AR
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City
📍 Kansas City, MO
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas
📍 Manassas, VA
Certificate 1-<2yr
🗺️ Heavy Equipment Operator by State
See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:
FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC
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