How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator?
Are you thinking of becoming a Heavy Equipment Operator or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Heavy Equipment Operator, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Heavy Equipment Operator job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator
If you're considering starting your Heavy Equipment Operator career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Heavy Equipment Operator and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Heavy Equipment Operator career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Heavy Equipment Operator career path, a Associate's Degree in engineering or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Heavy Equipment Operator internship may be required to earn your Associate's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Heavy Equipment Operator?
46% of people working as a Heavy Equipment Operator earned a Associate's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Heavy Equipment Operator?
- CDL
- Fork Lift
- English
- Test Equipment
- Excellent Communication
- Resistors
- Circuit Boards
- Aircraft Systems
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Heavy Equipment Operator, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Heavy Equipment Operator field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Heavy Equipment Operator specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Heavy Equipment Operator
Once you've acquired a Associate's Degree in engineering or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Heavy Equipment Operator. In general, you can become a Heavy Equipment Operator after completing your 3 year Associate's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Heavy Equipment Operator role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified crane operator.4
Advance in Your Heavy Equipment Operator Career
Following entry-level, there are several Heavy Equipment Operator career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Heavy Equipment Operator to progress to the iii heavy equipment operator position. Each advanced Heavy Equipment Operator position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Heavy Equipment Operator career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Heavy Equipment Operator career path.5
Continued Education for Your Heavy Equipment Operator Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Heavy Equipment Operator career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Bachelor's Degree in engineering can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Bachelor's Degree typically make $69,530 compared to $32,378 for those without that type of degree.Heavy Equipment Operator Career Path
Heavy Equipment Operator
8+Years of Experience
$47K - $74K /yrMost Likely Range
Senior Heavy Equipment Operator
2 - 4Years of Experience
$54K - $84K /yrMost Likely Range
Team Lead Heavy Equipment Operator
No Years of Experience Reports
$49K - $75K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
Heavy Equipment Operator Career Path
Summer Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy Equipment Operator
Senior Heavy Equipment Operator
Team Lead Heavy Equipment Operator
$40K
$52K
$64K
$76K
$100K
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Related Careers in the Skilled Labor & Manufacturing Industry
Interested in other Skilled Labor & Manufacturing careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Heavy Equipment Operator skills. Discover some of the most common Heavy Equipment Operator career transitions, along with skills overlap.