Operating Engineers By: Alex Palmer

What is an operating Engineer? An operating engineer works with a variety of different types of power-driven construction machines such as shovels, cranes, tractors, bulldozers, pile drivers, concrete mixers, and etc. Usually operating engineers level up from a construction laborer when he or she has been there long enough. Also they work for various construction companies or work for a union.

Job To do the job being an operating engineer is to be able to run all the machines and to move construction materials around the construction site, factories, warehouses, or off of a truck. Also you might have to lift materials up for your workers with a crane or dig something for them with the shovel. You have to be able to estimate how much weight your machine can hold at one time so you don’t overdo it and you either flip your machine or break something and hurt someone.

Work Environments and conditions As an operating engineer you will be outside and have to stand various weather. Rainy, snowy, sunny, cloudy, windy, sleeting, cold, hot, and warm are a few examples of what kind of weather you will be a few examples of what kind of conditions you will be in. You and a few other people should be running the equipment also you should have a crew called laborers that should be helping build the object. You shouldn’t have to travel anywhere far if you are in the union but if you work for a small company they might make you travel to a variety of different places.

Salary and wages An Operating Engineer earns an average wage of $28.68 per hour. Yearly: MEDIAN: $62,098 Nationally Hour Rate: $18.86 - $41.09 Overtime: $28.13 - $63.93 Bonus: $250.00 - $10,357 Total Pay: $41,692 - $101,069

Education, Licenses To be an operating engineer you have to at least have a high school diploma. Or a GED There's two ways to be an operating engineer: 1. Through a Union Apprentice Program: 3 years, some classroom instructions on grade plan readings, elements of electricity, physics, welding and lubrication services. 2. On the job training: You work as a laborer and soon you learn to become an operating engineer.

Physical and personality Requirements Must have excellent mechanical aptitude. Skillful coordination of the eye, hand, and feet movements. Good sense of responsibilities and seriousness so nobody gets hurt. Healthy and strong. Temperament to withstand dirt, noise, and weather.

History of Operating Engineers Egyptians used some kind of hoisting mechanism to move pyramid blocks. Romans made roads, viaducts, and some bridges of high quality. Began the Great Wall of China in the 3rd Century. Built by muscles and simple machines like levers and pulleys. The steam engine came out and more complex machines was created when the Industrial Revolution hit.

Benefits If you go in to the union you will receive these benefits: Health insurance. Higher Wages Job Security Pension Retirement