Occupational Employment Statistics
47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
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).
Northwest Minnesota
| 850 | 52 | $33.18/hr | $24.15/hr | $28.88/hr | $32.04/hr | $39.71/hr | $43.23/hr |
Natural Resources and Mining | 230 | $38.29/hr |
Construction | 5,360 | $40.18/hr |
Manufacturing | 90 | $33.37/hr |
Trade, Transportation and Utilities | 140 | $27.16/hr |
Professional and Business Services | 110 | $23.55/hr |
Education and Health Services | 10 | $36.05/hr |
Leisure and Hospitality | N/A | N/A |
Other Services | N/A | N/A |
Public Administration | 1,060 | $31.31/hr |
- Keep records of material or equipment usage or problems encountered.
- Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
- Check fuel supplies at sites to ensure adequate availability.
- Learn and follow safety regulations.
- Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
- Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
- Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
- Operate tractors or bulldozers to perform such tasks as clearing land, mixing sludge, trimming backfills, or building roadways or parking lots.
- Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
- Perform specialized work, using equipment, such as pile drivers, dredging rigs, drillers, or concrete pumpers.