Heavy Equipment Operation: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for individuals seeking hands-on careers in construction, infrastructure, and land development, this program equips learners with the technical expertise and practical skills required to safely and efficiently operate a wide range of heavy machinery. Students gain comprehensive training in equipment operation, site preparation, and earthmoving techniques essential for modern industrial and civil projects.
- Crawler Tractor Operation: Mastery of tracked vehicles used for pushing, pulling, and moving large volumes of material across uneven terrain, with emphasis on stability, control, and terrain adaptation.
- Motor Grader and Scraper Utilization: Instruction in precision grading and material transport using self-propelled graders and scrapers to shape and level surfaces for roads, foundations, and drainage systems.
- Excavation and Ditching Techniques: Training in safe and efficient digging procedures, including trenching, hole excavation, and slope management to prevent collapse and ensure site safety.
- Earthmoving and Grading Methods: Application of systematic approaches to land leveling, contouring, and surface preparation using heavy machinery to meet engineering specifications.
- Clearing and Stripping Operations: Skills in removing vegetation, debris, and topsoil to prepare land for construction, with attention to environmental compliance and site readiness.
- Rigging, Hoisting, and Lifting Systems: Practical knowledge of load handling equipment, including slings, hoists, and jacks, with a focus on safety protocols, weight distribution, and secure attachment procedures.
- Equipment Maintenance and Safety Protocols: Understanding of preventive maintenance schedules, diagnostic checks, and operational safety standards to extend equipment life and reduce on-site risks.
Heavy Equipment Operation Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Heavy Equipment Operation Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Heavy Equipment Operation degrees, including Pile Driver Operators, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators and Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 860,630 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pile Driver Operators 47-2072 | $70,510 | $46,690 - $121,990 | 3,040 | $33.90 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators 47-4061 | $67,370 | $45,720 - $84,840 | 16,480 | $32.39 |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other 47-5049 | $67,220 | $46,930 - $82,750 | 3,480 | $32.32 |
| Crane and Tower Operators 53-7021 | $66,370 | $41,670 - $102,400 | 42,000 | $31.91 |
| Continuous Mining Machine Operators 47-5041 | $63,380 | $41,450 - $84,420 | 14,340 | $30.47 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas 47-5023 | $59,600 | $44,450 - $87,760 | 17,410 | $28.65 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters 47-5032 | $59,110 | $45,160 - $104,210 | 5,680 | $28.42 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 47-2073 | $58,710 | $40,080 - $100,690 | 469,270 | $28.23 |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining 47-5022 | $52,550 | $39,650 - $80,970 | 34,210 | $25.26 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators 53-7041 | $52,310 | $33,910 - $116,120 | 2,480 | $25.15 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators 47-2071 | $51,650 | $38,030 - $90,110 | 45,680 | $24.83 |
| Extraction Workers, All Other 47-5099 | $50,110 | $35,720 - $80,780 | 6,070 | $24.09 |
| Logging Equipment Operators 45-4022 | $49,210 | $35,050 - $72,280 | 22,520 | $23.66 |
| Highway Maintenance Workers 47-4051 | $49,070 | $35,030 - $69,210 | 151,750 | $23.59 |
| Dredge Operators 53-7031 | $48,430 | $42,060 - $75,050 | 1,030 | $23.28 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other 53-7199 | $41,690 | $33,280 - $64,850 | 25,190 | $20.04 |
Heavy Equipment Operation Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $43,459 in Mississippi to $91,547 in Hawaii—a 111% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New Jersey, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 860,630 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Heavy Equipment Operation by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 55 institutions offering Heavy Equipment Operation programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Heavy Equipment Operation is found at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) (101 graduates), Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) (99 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (73 graduates), State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) (57 graduates), and Butte College (53 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,131 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
101 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) |
Other Award
|
99 | Minden, Louisiana | Public | nltcc.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
73 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| State Technical College of Missouri (State Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
57 | Linn, Missouri | Public | statetechmo.edu |
| Butte College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
53 | Oroville, California | Public | butte.edu |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
48 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| Bridgerland Technical College (BTECH) |
Other Award
|
37 | Logan, Utah | Public | btech.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Other Award
|
37 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Coolidge, Arizona | Public | centralaz.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (Alfred State) |
Associate's
|
33 | Alfred, New York | Public | alfredstate.edu |
| Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) |
Other Award
|
32 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Public | fvtc.edu |
| Coastal Bend College (CBC) |
Other Award
|
30 | Beeville, Texas | Public | coastalbend.edu |
| Lake Area Technical College (LATC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
29 | Watertown, South Dakota | Public | lakeareatech.edu |
| Pearl River Community College (PRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | Poplarville, Mississippi | Public | prcc.edu |
| Indian Capital Technology Center (ICTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | Muskogee, Oklahoma | Public | ictech.edu |
| Pontotoc Technology Center (Pontotoc Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
25 | Ada, Oklahoma | Public | pontotoctech.edu |
| Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (SouthernTech) |
Other Award
|
25 | Ardmore, Oklahoma | Public | sotech.edu |
| Santiago Canyon College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Orange, California | Public | sccollege.edu |
| Buckeye Hills Career Center (BHCC) |
Other Award
|
22 | Rio Grande, Ohio | Public | buckeyehills.net |
| North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Beloit, Kansas | Public | ncktc.edu |
| Hocking College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Public | hocking.edu |
| Coalinga College |
Other Award
|
17 | Coalinga, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Associate's
|
17 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
| University of Arkansas Community College (UACCB) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
16 | Batesville, Arkansas | Public | uaccb.edu |
| North Arkansas College (Northark) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Harrison, Arkansas | Public | northark.edu |
| Nicolet Area Technical College |
Other Award
|
16 | Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Public | nicoletcollege.edu |
| Mid-EastCTC |
Other Award
|
15 | Zanesville, Ohio | Public | adulted.mideastctc.org |
| Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center (GJCTC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | Public | gjctc.org |
| Northeast Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15 | Pryor, Oklahoma | Public | netech.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Shasta College |
Other Award
|
11 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Sheldon, Iowa | Public | nwicc.edu |
| United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) |
Other Award
|
11 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | uttc.edu |
| Hazard Community and Technical College (HCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | Hazard, Kentucky | Public | hazard.kctcs.edu |
| Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Moorhead, Mississippi | Public | msdelta.edu |
| Great Oaks Career Campuses |
Other Award
|
9 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | greatoaks.com |
| Washington County Community College (WCCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Calais, Maine | Public | wccc.me.edu |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin) |
Other Award
|
7 | Wesson, Mississippi | Public | colin.edu |
| Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Kalispell, Montana | Public | fvcc.edu |
| Salish Kootenai College (SKC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Pablo, Montana | Public | skc.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Englewood, Ohio | Public | mvctc.com |
| Kiamichi Technology Center (KTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | McAlester, Oklahoma | Public | ktc.edu |
| Central Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Grand Island, Nebraska | Public | cccneb.edu |
| Butler Technology and Career Development Schools (Butler Tech) |
Other Award
|
5 | Monroe, Ohio | Public | butlertech.org |
| Buckeye Joint Vocational School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | New Philadelphia, Ohio | Public | buckeyecareercenter.org |
| Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Schnecksville, Pennsylvania | Public | lcti.org |
| Douglas Education Center (DEC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Monessen, Pennsylvania | Private | dec.edu |
| Florida Panhandle Technical College (FPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Chipley, Florida | Public | fptc.edu |
| Stanly Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
2 | Albemarle, North Carolina | Public | stanly.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College (MLEC & TC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Miami Lakes, Florida | Public | miamilakes.edu |
| Sitting Bull College |
Other Award
|
1 | Fort Yates, North Dakota | Public | sittingbull.edu |
| Ocean County Vocational-Technical School (OCVTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocvts.org |
| Flagler Technical College (FTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Palm Coast, Florida | Public | flaglertech.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Heavy Equipment Operation programs
How much can I earn with a Heavy Equipment Operation degree?
Salaries for Heavy Equipment Operation graduates vary by role and location. Pile Driver Operators earn a median of $70,510 annually, while Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators earn around $67,370. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $91,547 compared to $43,459 in Mississippi. Approximately 860,630 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Heavy Equipment Operation programs?
Currently 55 accredited institutions offer Heavy Equipment Operation degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) (101 graduates), Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) (99 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (73 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Heavy Equipment Operation growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,180 in 2010 to a peak of 1,162 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,131 in 2023-24. This represents a 4% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Heavy Equipment Operation degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Pile Driver Operators, Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators, and Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 860,630 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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