Best institutions to study Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment, such as a crawler tractors, motor graders and scrapers, shovels, rigging devices, hoists, and jacks.
50 U.S. institutions graduated 1,010 Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 49.0202, a specialization of Ground Transportation (CIP 49.02), and leads most directly to the Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators occupation (BLS SOC 47-2073).
About Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment, such as a crawler tractors, motor graders and scrapers, shovels, rigging devices, hoists, and jacks. Includes instruction in digging, ditching, sloping, stripping, grading, and backfiling, clearing and excavating.
See also: 01.0204 - Agricultural Power Machinery Operation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation program prepares individuals to operate and maintain various types of heavy machinery used in construction and earthmoving. This program is ideal for those interested in a hands-on career in the transportation and materials moving field, focusing on the technical skills necessary for effective equipment operation.
Learn more about Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation →
Students will gain essential skills in monitoring, active listening, and critical thinking, along with knowledge in mechanical systems, safety regulations, and mathematics. Coursework includes practical training in operating bulldozers, excavators, and graders, ensuring students are well-equipped for real-world challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years443 graduates / yr · 26 institutions44%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year365 graduates / yr · 21 institutions36%
- Associate's degree100 graduates / yr · 9 institutions9.9%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years66 graduates / yr · 2 institutions6.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks36 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.6%
Graduates over time
Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 876 |
| 2013 | 1,208 |
| 2014 | 1,608 |
| 2015 | 1,466 |
| 2016 | 956 |
| 2017 | 1,038 |
| 2018 | 996 |
| 2019 | 1,321 |
| 2020 | 1,162 |
| 2021 | 1,133 |
| 2022 | 1,070 |
| 2023 | 943 |
| 2024 | 1,131 |
| 2025 | 1,010 |
Top 50 institutions for Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Minden, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 84 | 77% | — | $24,514 |
| 2 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 80 | 40% | — | — |
| 3 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 58 | 65% | — | $67,999 |
| 4 | Central Lakes College - Brainerd Brainerd, MNPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 55 | 53% | — | $64,164 |
| 5 | State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 54 | 84% | — | $50,941 |
| 6 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 48 | 45% | — | — |
| 7 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NYPublicAssociate's | 33 | 55% | — | — |
| 8 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 31 | 73% | — | — |
| 9 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 24% | — | $59,330 |
| 10 | Bridgerland Technical College Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 75% | — | — |
| 11 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicAssociate's | 30 | 53% | — | $45,504 |
| 12 | Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 48% | — | $43,818 |
| 13 | Southern Oklahoma Technology Center Ardmore, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 83% | — | — |
| 14 | Buckeye Hills Career Center Rio Grande, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 26 | 90% | — | — |
| 15 | Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee Muskogee, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 100% | — | — |
| 16 | Pearl River Community College Poplarville, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 37% | — | $27,251 |
| 17 | Central Arizona College Coolidge, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 23 | 27% | — | — |
| 18 | Pontotoc Technology Center Ada, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 83% | — | — |
| 19 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 59% | — | — |
| 20 | Fort Hays Tech North Central Beloit, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 78% | — | — |
| 21 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 23% | — | — |
| 22 | Stanly Community College Albemarle, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 48% | — | — |
| 23 | Northeast Technology Center Pryor, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 16 | 97% | — | — |
| 24 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 37% | — | — |
| 25 | North Arkansas College Harrison, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 14 | 42% | — | $39,576 |
| 26 | Central Community College Grand Island, NEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 14 | 48% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Arkansas Community College - Batesville Batesville, ARPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 66% | — | — |
| 28 | Nicolet Area Technical College Rhinelander, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 44% | — | — |
| 29 | Coalinga College Coalinga, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 43% | — | — |
| 30 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 11 | 65% | — | — |
| 31 | Copiah - Lincoln Community College Wesson, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 50% | — | — |
| 32 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 48% | — | — |
| 33 | Mississippi Delta Community College Moorhead, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 31% | — | — |
| 34 | Washington County Community College Calais, MEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 55% | — | — |
| 35 | Kiamichi Technology Center - McAlester McAlester, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 45% | — | — |
| 36 | United Tribes Technical College Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 21% | $2,819 | — |
| 37 | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 58% | — | $60,943 |
| 38 | Salish Kootenai College Pablo, MTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 28% | — | — |
| 39 | Great Oaks Career Campuses Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 90% | — | — |
| 40 | Northwood Technical College Rice Lake, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 56% | — | — |
| 41 | Mid - EastCTC - Adult Education Zanesville, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 72% | — | $37,227 |
| 42 | Fort Scott Community College Fort Scott, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 35% | — | — |
| 43 | Flathead Valley Community College Kalispell, MTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 29% | — | — |
| 44 | Douglas Education Center Monessen, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 88% | $27,934 | — |
| 45 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OHPublicAssociate's | 4 | 31% | — | — |
| 46 | Coastal Bend College Beeville, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 25% | — | — |
| 47 | Florida Panhandle Technical College Chipley, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 41% | — | — |
| 48 | Flagler Technical College Palm Coast, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 81% | — | — |
| 49 | Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College Miami Lakes, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 5% | — | — |
| 50 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAssociate's | 1 | 19% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ground Transportation field (CIP 49.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states
Where Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation graduates come from. Each state links to all Ground Transportation programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2073, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators, with an average annual wage of $58,710. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 3.6% and approximately 41,900 annual openings, making it a stable choice for those with a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 49.0202
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operatorsprimary SOC 47-2073 | $59,850 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~41,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Highway Maintenance Workers SOC 47-4051 | $50,260 | +3.0% About as fast as average | ~12,300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Logging Equipment Operators SOC 45-4022 | $49,740 | -1.4% Decline | ~4,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators SOC 47-2071 | $53,340 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Crane and Tower Operators SOC 53-7021 | $68,080 | +3.0% About as fast as average | ~3,800 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining SOC 47-5022 | $57,430 | -0.4% Little or no change | ~3,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Material Moving Workers, All Other SOC 53-7199 | $41,800 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~3,100 | No formal educational credential |
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas SOC 47-5023 | $60,190 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~1,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Continuous Mining Machine Operators SOC 47-5041 | $61,810 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~1,600 | No formal educational credential |
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators SOC 47-4061 | $70,070 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~1,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Extraction Workers, All Other SOC 47-5099 | $57,010 | +1.4% Little or no change | ~700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters SOC 47-5032 | $61,390 | -0.9% Little or no change | ~500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other SOC 47-5049 | $70,130 | -6.1% Decline | ~400 | No formal educational credential |
Pile Driver Operators SOC 47-2072 | $73,300 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~300 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Hoist and Winch Operators SOC 53-7041 | $56,450 | -1.1% Decline | ~300 | No formal educational credential |
Dredge Operators SOC 53-7031 | $49,640 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Learn and follow safety regulations.
- Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
- Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
- Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
- Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
- Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
Tools and technology used
Other Ground Transportation specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ground Transportation (CIP 49.02).
- Truck and Bus Driver/CIP 49.0205
Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor 17,965 graduates / yr232 institutions - Forklift Operation/CIP 49.0209
Operator partial data318 graduates / yr3 institutions - Ground TransportationCIP 49.0299partial data109 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Railroad and Railway TransportationCIP 49.0208limited data87 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Mobil Crane Operator/
Operation49.0206 - Flagging and Traffic Control49.0207
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What types of equipment will I learn to operate?+
You will learn to operate bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, and backhoes.
What safety training is included in the program?+
The program includes training on safety regulations and how to avoid potential hazards.
What is the typical duration of the program?+
The program can range from 12 weeks to 2 years, depending on the awarded credential.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as construction equipment operators, highway maintenance workers, and more.
What is the CIP code for Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation?+
Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation is CIP 49.0202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ground Transportation (CIP 49.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to operate and maintain a variety of heavy equipment, such as a crawler tractors, motor graders and scrapers, shovels, rigging devices, hoists, and jacks. Includes instruction in digging, ditching, sloping, stripping, grading, and backfiling, clearing and excavating.
How many institutions offer Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation programs?+
50 U.S. institutions reported Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 1,010 credentials in the year. That is 5.2% of all Ground Transportation graduates.
How much do Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators occupation, which Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ground Transportation field report median earnings of $45,504 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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