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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
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 3,380116$39.13/hr$28.37/hr$33.59/hr$41.64/hr$44.32/hr$46.64/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Natural Resources and Mining250$32.00/hr
Construction6,030$39.59/hr
Manufacturing100$33.10/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities30$32.64/hr
Professional and Business Services120$25.21/hr
Education and Health Services20$34.52/hr
Other ServicesN/AN/A
Public Administration970$29.62/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
La Crosse WI-MN MSA 100$30.55/hrN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 130$33.32/hrN/A
Northeast Balance of State 220$29.30/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA 280$35.50/hrN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 330$28.41/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 340$31.64/hrN/A
St Cloud MN MSA 400$32.60/hrN/A
Southwest Balance of State 440$28.46/hrN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA 520$28.78/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 520$33.01/hr6.9%
Southwest Minnesota 540$31.43/hr6.4%
Duluth MN-WI MSA 740$31.95/hrN/A
Northwest Balance of State 740$29.67/hrN/A
Northeast Minnesota 810$31.95/hr2.6%
Northwest Minnesota 840$29.65/hr6.3%
Central Minnesota 1,270$34.25/hr2.6%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 3,380$41.64/hr4.8%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 4,200$41.42/hrN/A
Minnesota 7,520$37.19/hr4.6%




  • 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.