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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

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).

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Northwest Minnesota 85052$33.18/hr$24.15/hr$28.88/hr$32.04/hr$39.71/hr$43.23/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Natural Resources and Mining230$38.29/hr
Construction5,360$40.18/hr
Manufacturing90$33.37/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities140$27.16/hr
Professional and Business Services110$23.55/hr
Education and Health Services10$36.05/hr
Leisure and HospitalityN/AN/A
Other ServicesN/AN/A
Public Administration1,060$31.31/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
La Crosse WI-MN MSA 140$30.20/hrN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 140$39.10/hrN/A
Northeast Balance of State 210$31.97/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA 280$37.60/hrN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 300$29.95/hrN/A
St Cloud MN MSA 330$32.74/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 340$31.66/hrN/A
Southwest Balance of State 420$29.21/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 530$37.11/hr8.9%
Southwest Minnesota 540$30.46/hr9.3%
Fargo ND-MN MSA 650$29.56/hrN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA 710$35.94/hrN/A
Northwest Balance of State 740$32.04/hrN/A
Northeast Minnesota 770$35.94/hr7.2%
Northwest Minnesota 850$32.04/hr10.2%
Central Minnesota 1,110$35.24/hr14.6%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 3,050$41.84/hr9.2%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 3,820$40.37/hrN/A
Minnesota 7,020$37.67/hr9.9%




  • 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.