Nebraska
Operating Engineer programs in Nebraska
3 listed heavy equipment operator programs in Nebraska, plus BLS pay data for the state and 4 metro areas.
- $58,240Average pay (state, all experience levels)
- $44,620Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $58,360Median pay (state)
- $75,700Top 10% earn over
3,180 jobs in Nebraska · 3 listed programs. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
Cities with listed programs
BLS wage data
Operating Engineer pay in Nebraska
Annual wages from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $44,620 | $47,940 | $58,360 | $63,480 | $75,700 | $58,240 | 3,180 |
| United States | $42,190 | $48,680 | $59,850 | $77,170 | $101,090 | $66,290 | 478,090 |
Metro areas
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $45,570 | $51,710 | $60,810 | $62,800 | $73,350 | $58,900 | 490 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $46,870 | $50,200 | $60,020 | $65,600 | $77,920 | $61,090 | 1,380 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,940 | $51,220 | $59,140 | $63,070 | $73,030 | $59,840 | 200 |
| Grand Island, NE | $42,110 | $46,490 | $55,020 | $63,310 | $68,610 | $55,620 | 120 |
Programs
Listed programs in Nebraska
Every heavy equipment operator program we matched in Nebraska. Schools with published tuition are listed first.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Central Community College Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation | Grand Island, NE | Associate degree | 1 | $3,450–$4,935 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 49.0202 |
| IUOE Local 571 Training Trust | Omaha, NE | Registered apprenticeship sponsor | n/a | Contact program | DOL Office of Apprenticeship |
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Related resources
Keep researching
GI Bill heavy equipment operator schoolsSchools approved for VA benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.comVerified CDL training schoolsMany equipment jobs also involve hauling machines; compare CDL programs. · VerifiedCDLSchools.comRegistered apprenticeships in NebraskaThe full DOL sponsor list for the state. · RegisteredTradeSchools.com
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.