Operating Engineer training programs & pay
Average pay $66,290 (all experience levels); median $59,850; top 10% earn over $101,090. Operating engineers run the bulldozers, excavators, loaders, graders and other heavy equipment that build roads, pipelines and building sites. The classic path is an operating engineers joint apprenticeship; private heavy-equipment schools offer shorter courses.
- $66,290Average pay (U.S., all experience levels)
- $42,190Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $59,850Median pay (U.S.)
- $101,090Top 10% earn over
478,090 jobs nationwide · 184 listed programs in 45 states. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. O*NET 47-2073.00.
Highest-paying states (BLS median)
BLS wage data
What operating engineers and heavy equipment operators earn
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, operating engineers and heavy equipment operators in the United States earned an average (mean) of $66,290 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $59,850; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $42,190 and the top 10% earned more than $101,090.
Annual wages for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (SOC 47-2073) from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. It is in our Average pay $65k+ (all experience levels) group: the national average (mean, all experience levels) is $66,290; the median is $59,850 and the entry-level / bottom 10% figure is $42,190.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $42,190 | $48,680 | $59,850 | $77,170 | $101,090 | $66,290 | 478,090 |
Training & tuition
What training costs
Tuition comes only from published College Scorecard figures. Apprenticeship sponsors do not publish tuition in federal files, so they show “Contact program.”
| Program group | Lowest | Middle | Highest | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools with published tuition (86) | $1,074 | $4,600 | $34,312 | College Scorecard annual tuition & fees (in-state low end; out-of-state high end where they differ) |
| Registered apprenticeship sponsors (97) | Contact program | Not published in the DOL file. Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs with related classroom instruction. | ||
Occupation profile
| O*NET-SOC code | 47-2073.00 |
|---|---|
| O*NET title | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| BLS SOC | 47-2073 |
| Job zone | Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Sample job titles | Back Hoe Operator, Engineering Equipment Operator, Equipment Operator (EO), Forklift Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO), Hot Mix Asphalt Operator |
Typical tasks (O*NET)
- Learn and follow safety regulations.
- Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
- Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
- Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
- Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
Programs
Featured heavy equipment operator programs
12 of 184 listed programs, schools with published tuition first. Pick a state below for the full list.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Technical College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Coconut Creek, FL | Certificate (2-4 years) | 0 | $4,766 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Bakersfield College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Bakersfield, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $1,450–$11,530 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Lexington, KY | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $4,952–$6,752 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Bridgerland Technical College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Logan, UT | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 37 | $3,291 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Buckeye Hills Career Center Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Rio Grande, OH | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 22 | $15,202 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Buckeye Joint Vocational School Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | New Philadelphia, OH | Certificate (1-2 years) | 4 | $11,850 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Butler Technology and Career Development Schools Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Monroe, OH | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 5 | $10,150 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Butte College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Oroville, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 53 | $1,374–$9,534 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Central Arizona College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Coolidge, AZ | Certificate (1-2 years) | 11 | $2,250–$4,500 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Central Arizona College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Coolidge, AZ | Associate degree | 6 | $2,250–$4,500 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Central Arizona College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Coolidge, AZ | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 17 | $2,250–$4,500 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| Central Community College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Grand Island, NE | Certificate (1-2 years) | 4 | $3,450–$4,935 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
By state
Operating Engineer pay and programs by state
Highest state medians:
| State | Listed programs | Median pay | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 | $47,520 | $67,690 | 9,640 |
| Alaska | 1 | $77,810 | $103,900 | 3,050 |
| Arizona | 4 | $60,620 | $79,460 | 13,200 |
| Arkansas | 5 | $44,520 | $58,670 | 5,800 |
| California | 9 | $87,160 | $132,210 | 36,020 |
| Colorado | 2 | $62,620 | $78,870 | 11,700 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $78,750 | $106,920 | 2,860 |
| Delaware | 0 | $58,020 | $97,520 | 1,230 |
| District of Columbia | 0 | $74,610 | $98,270 | 620 |
| Florida | 8 | $49,400 | $64,020 | 27,510 |
| Georgia | 2 | $47,880 | $62,840 | 15,700 |
| Guam | 0 | $39,170 | $52,940 | 650 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $115,860 | $129,590 | 2,380 |
| Idaho | 0 | $61,680 | $79,650 | 4,270 |
| Illinois | 10 | $97,740 | $123,330 | 12,290 |
| Indiana | 5 | $79,580 | $98,850 | 11,520 |
| Iowa | 3 | $60,330 | $87,460 | 5,530 |
| Kansas | 3 | $51,620 | $85,420 | 7,070 |
| Kentucky | 4 | $57,780 | $80,890 | 7,050 |
| Louisiana | 7 | $51,700 | $75,180 | 7,860 |
| Maine | 2 | $56,140 | $75,390 | 2,210 |
| Maryland | 6 | $61,410 | $78,870 | 6,610 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $76,820 | $125,400 | 9,680 |
| Michigan | 2 | $62,690 | $90,580 | 9,500 |
| Minnesota | 4 | $79,130 | $101,930 | 8,590 |
| Mississippi | 4 | $47,410 | $67,030 | 4,170 |
| Missouri | 4 | $60,540 | $94,130 | 10,470 |
| Montana | 5 | $61,580 | $79,880 | 3,750 |
| Nebraska | 3 | $58,360 | $75,700 | 3,180 |
| Nevada | 3 | $71,410 | $111,210 | 5,410 |
| New Hampshire | 0 | $62,200 | $87,730 | 1,330 |
| New Jersey | 3 | $89,660 | $133,330 | 5,980 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $52,000 | $69,690 | 5,520 |
| New York | 11 | $80,980 | $144,920 | 14,490 |
| North Carolina | 3 | $49,310 | $64,450 | 16,580 |
| North Dakota | 3 | $62,150 | $100,570 | 4,890 |
| Ohio | 11 | $64,940 | $98,100 | 16,920 |
| Oklahoma | 6 | $47,970 | $64,380 | 7,050 |
| Oregon | 3 | $73,430 | $117,310 | 5,630 |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | $60,530 | $94,930 | 22,120 |
| Puerto Rico | 0 | $29,810 | $42,970 | 2,400 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | $63,610 | $98,870 | 970 |
| South Carolina | 0 | $48,940 | $64,330 | 8,160 |
| South Dakota | 2 | $59,500 | $75,880 | 2,050 |
| Tennessee | 3 | $52,000 | $75,430 | 10,660 |
| Texas | 5 | $50,460 | $70,010 | 55,540 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 0 | $47,650 | $85,140 | 120 |
| Utah | 4 | $60,740 | $75,880 | 7,880 |
| Vermont | 0 | $58,870 | $73,860 | 1,280 |
| Virginia | 1 | $57,160 | $78,250 | 12,100 |
| Washington | 4 | $81,700 | $125,490 | 10,290 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $51,300 | $76,970 | 7,830 |
| Wisconsin | 6 | $75,280 | $100,140 | 8,140 |
| Wyoming | 1 | $62,960 | $85,630 | 3,800 |
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FAQ
Operating Engineer pay and training: quick answers
How much do operating engineers and heavy equipment operators make?
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, operating engineers and heavy equipment operators in the United States earned an average (mean) of $66,290 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $59,850; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $42,190 and the top 10% earned more than $101,090.
What is entry-level pay for operating engineers and heavy equipment operators?
BLS does not publish a starting wage. The closest federal figure is the 10th percentile, which we label entry-level / bottom 10%: $42,190 a year nationally in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. The median is $59,850.
Which states pay operating engineers and heavy equipment operators the most?
By BLS average (mean) annual wage, the top states are Hawaii ($102,020), California ($94,000), New Jersey ($93,270), in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
How many heavy equipment operator training programs are listed?
We list 184 in 45 states: 87 school programs from the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (1,131 graduates that year) and 97 registered apprenticeship sponsors from the DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file. Listings are matched from public files and are not endorsements.
How much does heavy equipment operator training cost?
For the 86 listed schools with published College Scorecard tuition and fees, the annual figure ranges from $1,074 to $34,312 (middle $4,600). Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs, and the DOL file does not list tuition.
Sources
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 47-2073.00 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators, retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.