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Operating Engineers
Most of the Operating Engineers in California belong to the International Union of Operating Engineers. Wages paid to union workers vary with the type of equipment operated and the area in which the work is located. Generally, higher wages are paid to workers operating or repairing the larger or more complex machines. Local Wages Hours & Benefits Most of the Operating Engineers in California belong to the International Union of Operating Engineers. Wages paid to union workers vary with the type of equipment operated and the area in which the work is located. Generally, higher wages are paid to workers operating or repairing the larger or more complex machines. Employment Trends Employment Trends by California County Operating Engineer are often identified by the various types of power-driven equipment that they operate. The range of skills required of Operating Engineers is usually broader than that required of workers in other building trades because of the numbers and types of equipment they must be qualified to use. Although many Operating Engineers are employed in the Construction industry, others work for State and local government mainly in maintenance and repair work. As construction activity increases, jobs for Operating Engineers tend to increase. In fact, the construction and manufacturing industries, where most of these workers are employed, continue to be sensitive to changes in economic conditions. Also, the amount of spending on the State's infrastructure will continue to influence the availability of jobs with contractors. Because of the above factors, job openings can fluctuate widely from year to year. Overall, equipment improvements and growing automation are expected to restrain growth in this occupation during the next few years. Getting the Job & Other Information For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. References Related Occupation: Bus & Truck Mechanicc #251, Truck Drivers, Heavy #255 Training: California State Training Inventory |
Education and Training Apprenticeship involves on-the-job training in the form of paid employment, together with supplemental related training at a designated training center. In general, apprenticeship program applicants must be age 18 or older and may be required to submit evidence of good physical condition and completion of high school education or equivalent (GED). Applicants meeting minimum qualifications are given a written test that measures basic reading and math abilities and mechanical understanding. Scores on the test determine which applicants will be selected for admission to the program from each county; applicants compete only with other individuals residing in the same county. The apprentice selects one of several branches of work for specialization. The four most popular categories are construction equipment operation, dredges, plant equipment operation, and heavy-duty repair. In the first three categories, the apprentices learn to operate and maintain a variety of equipment and make routine repairs. In the fourth category, the emphasis is on repair. Persons seeking an apprenticeship should contact the nearest district office of the Operating Engineers Union to determine when applications will be accepted. A number of private schools offer instruction in the operation of construction equipment. Persons considering such training should contact employers in the area to determine the schools' performance. Training in the operation of construction equipment may also be available through the Navy Civil Engineering Corps and the Army Corps of Engineers. Persons wanting to enter the trade without formal training frequently find employment as a laborer, truck driver or in some other capacity where they have the opportunity to work with the equipment. They may do simple tasks such as cleaning, greasing, and starting equipment. Then, with the guidance of an experienced operator, they learn to repair and operate light equipment. Later they may learn to operate medium-sized and heavy equipment. Operating engineers need to be alert and have a good sense of balance and good eye-hand-foot coordination. Good eyesight and depth perception and physical strength and stamina are also necessary. Helpful high school courses include auto shop, machine shop, physics, and mathematics. Skills & Other Requirements Most Operating Engineers work for contractors on highway, dam, pipeline, and other heavy- construction projects. Many, however, work for other types of companies or for public agencies like utility companies or highway departments that do their own maintenance or construction work. There are also jobs for Operating Engineers in places like factories and mines, operating cranes and hoists, and in the woods dragging logs and building haul roads. The difficulty of the Operating Engineer's work depends largely on the complexity of the machine being used and the demands of the job. Operating a large crane, particularly in handling a heavy load or lifting materials of all sizes to great heights, requires a high degree of skill, while operating an air compressor requires less skill. Most workers specialize in operating the equipment; however, many others work as heavy-equipment mechanics who specialize in maintenance and repair. Advancement © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor |