If you are planning to penetrate the heavy equipment operation industry and you might be wondering where you find a good job to work as a heavy equipment operator. The simple answers are in this article.
You can work in the construction site, in the agricultural sector, in the mining and quarrying sites, in the gas and oil sector and in materials handling business such as ports.
The opportunities for heavy equipment operators are diverse. You will find job prospects in almost every sector. You would not find any city or state where heavy equipment jobs are non-existent.
If you are looking to start a career and you’re asking where are the best places to get a job as a heavy equipment operator, here are the industries:
Construction Site
People are looking to make a career change as a heavy equipment operator. Where else do you think the best prospect to get a job as an operator? It is in the construction industry. Your future is in the construction sector.
Constructions sites sprout everywhere; there are buildings being built here and structures being put up there. Construction work is around us. There will be no shortage of employment for you in this industry. You can shift job from one employer to the next after finishing a construction project. You can even get a job offer from employer overseas.
There’s a lot of work to be done in the construction site that cannot be done by hand. This is where you come in. As a skilled and experienced operator, you will excavate gravel and soil, move and pile of earth materials, level the ground, pave asphalt and concrete, and other duties that may be assigned to you.
Joined with high salary is the varied opportunity. Construction industry is always seeking for qualified and skilled individuals like you. Starting a career as heavy equipment operator in this industry can give a particular level of employment security. Construction project can take up years to complete, you could be employed for years to come. You can work both in the private and public sectors. Diverse opportunities are available and you could be assured of job security in this industry.
Most of the people I know start their career in the construction operating a particular type of equipment. Then, through the years, with experience and continuous training, they become accustomed to driving all types of equipment. Many of them become foremen and supervisors while other chose to become training instructors.
The salary you will get is greatly depending on the years of experience you have under your belt. If you have 2 years of experience, you may earn as much as $60,000; while operators who have 5 years of experience may receive $67,000. Again, the location/state where you are working also plays a role how much you would receive.
Agriculture
The agriculture has changed rapidly in the past 2 decades and still continues to grow. This dictates more manpower demand to man heavy equipment that excavate the soil, fertilize the crops, and harvest the produce.
As a heavy equipment operator, you are involved primarily in the farming operations. You will operate machines such as threshers, tractors, dryers, raking equipment, soil tillers, harvesters, seed drills, and other types of equipment used in the farming.
You may find the work in the agricultural sector seasonal and that demand for talents like you is not that prevalent unlike in the construction sector. Most jobs in this industry are paid by the hour. The minimum hourly wage is $10 but you could receive as much as $20 an hour. You may find working in this position better than those other skilled-trade jobs.
The size of the business and the state where you work, again, plays a role in how much salary you will be offered with. In the state where farming is a thriving business, obviously, have the best opportunities to work in. If you are working in the states of Texas, Iowa, and California, you may have good employment opportunities as a heavy equipment operator working in this sector. Agriculture is one of the good places to get a job as a heavy equipment operator.
Mining and Quarrying
If in the mining and quarrying sites you preferred to work, there will be a good chance for you to land a good job in this sector.
The demand for manpower in the mining sector is very diverse, there are around 100 occupations needed in this industry, varying from skilled trade workers to licensed professionals.
Depending on your area of assignment, you could find yourself working above-ground or underground mines. As a heavy equipment operator working underground, you will move materials such as rocks, earth, sand, core and other precious metals. You will use specialized heavy equipment to smash rocks and transport the materials aboveground for processing. In the above ground, you will do the excavation of the worksite, digging and moving of soil materials, loading of the materials to conveyors. These are some of the varied duties you will do in the mining and quarrying site.
Since specialized skills are needed to work in the mines, employers may provide specific training to you. You could also join a mining apprenticeship program. Such a program may only be offered in selected states.
It may take up 4 years to complete a mining apprenticeship program. During this duration, you will learn the technologies and equipment while you’re gaining experience. Just like any other on-the-job training, an apprenticeship program is an opportunity for you to acquire the skills and at the same time earning wages.
Since mining site is a hazardous environment, you will be required to take a mining safety course. The employer may sponsor this training for you. The training covers safety policies when working underground and above-ground and in the proper use of heavy equipment.
The salary of heavy equipment operator working in the mine and quarrying sites may depend on the state you’re working. In Alaska, for example, an operator may receive as much as $67,000 per year. But typically, you will normally receive an annual salary of $40,000 to $50,000 depending on the length of experience and level of seniority.
Gas and Oil Pipelines
Working in the gas and pipelines is hazardous. A specialized training may be given to heavy equipment operators prior to working in this sector. You may also have to meet a certain level of physical fitness since the working environment is harsh and challenging.
If you have what it takes to work in the oil and gas this might be the right time. Operators and other trade occupations are making much higher pay than those working in other sectors. You can really earn big money! In addition to good pay, lucrative bonuses and incentives await you.
If you can do the maintenance work of equipment such as repair and troubleshooting, you have the best chance of landing a high-paying job. But, even being an equipment operator can be a lucrative job, just make sure you have the experience and skills to do your responsibilities.
It is not just the pay. The oil and gas industry keeps its steady and forecasted growth in the next decades. Gas and oil industry will be requiring more trade occupations as the industry continues to progress.
With all the opportunities, it is all up to you to make a decision to pursue a career as a heavy equipment operator in this industry.
Middle Eastern countries have the most demands for trade occupations.
Material Handling Work In the Ports
Ports are busy places to work. Large volumes of materials are being moved every second. Whether you’re working in sea or airports, cargos have to be transported in large quantities.
Operators in ports have to organize and efficient. Ports have to be run economically. Every worker in the ports contributes to the smooth operation. You need to be safety-conscious, has the skill to work in a team, with good communication skill, you have to be physically strong and can work long hours.
If you know how to operate cranes and trailer trucks, you have the best opportunity to work in ports. There is an increased requirement for crane operators at ports. They’re crucial in this sector. They unload and load cargos from ships. Likewise, if you’re a trailer truck driver, you got also got what it takes to work at ports. You have to be multi-skilled in this type of work.
There’s no seasonality when you are working at ports. This is the busiest place to work. Ports are in operation 24x7. You won’t have to worry about work retrenchment or business closure. With a job in the port, you are assured of stable employment opportunity and career growth.
Maintenance of Roads and Bridges
The road and bridges equipment operators conduct a variety of tasks associated with the maintenance and repairs. They also check the safety of the project site and other work activities in the area. They also provide regular emergency maintenance work during the winter. The nature of the job requires ability in specialized heavy equipment and tool operations.
You may find the job seasonal. This may not be a good place to get a job as a heavy equipment operator if your goal is full-time employment. But if you just want a short-term work for a few months, you may consider a job in the maintenance of roads and bridges.
If you’re still a novice and you want an entry-level position, this might be a perfect place to gain experience which you can use to elevate your career in the future.
To Make a Finalization
The employment outlook for the operator in these industries is better than any trade occupations. It has been forecasted that the growth for the demand for heavy equipment operators will continue to grow until the year 2025. The continuous spending and development is the primary driving force of this growth.
Those operators who work in urban areas and in large cities have a better salary offer. If you are skilled and experienced operating different types of equipment, then you have better job opportunities.
If you are looking for places where to get jobs as a heavy equipment operator, we highlighted those industries above. Those are the sectors where you could find a stable and long-term employment.