Facts About Operating Engineers
Operating engineers work as mechanics, heavy equipment operators and surveyors in the construction industry. Operating engineers work with a variety of equipment including cranes, pavers, trench excavators, heavy-duty trucks, bulldozers and rollers. These engineers are essential to build infrastructure like highways and dams and facilities like buildings and airports.
Other People Are Reading
-
Training and Qualifications
-
On the job training is common with operating engineers. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers generally hire individuals for this position that have at least completed high school. Courses taken at the high school level pertaining to automobile mechanics are beneficial to prospective employees in this field. People that complete operating engineering apprenticeships have a better job outlook than those who do not. The standard apprenticeship program lasts three to four years, with opportunities to advance every six months. However, apprenticeship program regulations vary state by state. In addition, many operating engineers obtain their commercial drivers license to drive equipment to different job sites.
-
Working Conditions
-
Operating Engineers work outdoors in all types of weather. While work will vary with each individual job, operating engineers often spend lengthy periods of time doing one task, such as: pulling levers, turning wheels or sitting. This is not to imply that there are no hazards with the job. Because operating engineers work with heavy machinery there are risks including: collapsing excavations, overturning machinery and snapping cables. Construction projects do not always keep regular shift hours, so neither do operating engineers. Overtime is not uncommon for operating engineers.
Employment Outlook
-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of operating engineers is expected to grow as fast as the national average, or about 8 percent between 2006 and 2016. Although the recession may hinder the construction industry somewhat, maintenance of existing roads, bridges and other infrastructure will continue to create a demand for operating engineers. Special training in paving, surfacing and tamping is also in high demand.
Earnings
-
According the the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, operating engineers earn a national average of $17.74 per hour. Operating engineers employed in the industry of highway, street and bridge construction earn a slightly higher average wage of $19.88 per hour. Operating engineers employed publicly generally earn less than those employed privately.
Union
-
The International Union of Operating Engineers has over 400,000 members and works to "ensure protections of prevailing wages on public projects, alleviate health care costs through coalition building, and improve our contractors' competitiveness." The International Union of Operating Engineers also offers industry leading training programs and apprenticeship opportunities.
References
- Photo Credit "Digger - FGS Plant Hire" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Terinea IT Support under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
