Heavy Equipment Operator
About
Ready to move Heaven and earth to reach your goals? Would you settle for just earth? Heavy equipment operators prepare the road for paving. The work requires skill and the equipment is highly computerized, however training, in many cases, is on the job. The power is awesome and you get to sit down.
Duties
Some operators work with several types of equipment, while others specialize.
Excavator:
Use various attachments to scoop and dump, dig trenches, load heavy material and break rock or concrete.
Bulldozer Operators:
Clear and level the area for a roadbed.
Front-End Loader Operators:
Pick up and dump loads of earth, rock, sand and gravel.
Grader Operators:
Spread or level earth and other material by controlling the height and angle of the grader’s blades.
Crane Operators:
Raise scaffolding and other material used to build bridges.
Work Conditions
Work is outside at highway construction sites, in all kinds of weather. But you can escape the elements when inside most cabs. The normal workweek is 40 hours (eight hours a day for five days). However, some projects may require night, weekend and holiday work.
Salary
According to ZipRecruiter 2023 salary information, the average salary for a heavy equipment operator in highway construction is $47,500.
General
Salary ranges in Georgia based upon information provided by Georgia highway contractors. These figures are averages and may vary from region to region within the state. With overtime, many workers earn well beyond the averages.
Training
Many operators learn on the job. There is no certificate or special license needed (except for crane operators).
Heavy Equipment Operator Average wages
Below are some general hourly wages and annual salary ranges for highway construction heavy equipment operator jobs in Georgia. These figures are averages and may vary from region to region within the state.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Average Entry Level Pay
$19.50 per hour / $40,500 per year
Average Pay with Several Years Experience
$22.00 per hour / $45,500 per year
Average Pay with Most Experienced Worker
$26.00 per hour / $54,000 per year
