Heavy Equipment Operators

[scotty]

My thoughts exactly !! Show me a $50/hr backhoe job and I'm there !!

It will vary state to state. Here, Arkansas is a "right to work" state so HEO will get you from $13 to $18 per hour. Cross the line into Missouri and you can get $15 to $23. It will also vary on experience and specialty....or lack there of. I say that because someone whos experience or specialty is a trackhoe operator will not be as valuable to a company as an operator who is capable of operating several different pieces of equipment. Much of the HEO industry is computerized now days so it has pulled down the value of a good operator. There was a time when a good bulldozer operator who could level a pad was worth alot of money, now days they stick a laser in the ground at one end, sync it with recievers on the dozer, flip a switch and all the operator has to do is drive and the computer works the blade as needed.

Also, if your in union territory the pay will be a little higher.

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by scotty

My thoughts exactly !! Show me a $50/hr backhoe job and I'm there !!

It will vary state to state. Here, Arkansas is a "right to work" state so HEO will get you from $13 to $18 per hour. Cross the line into Missouri and you can get $15 to $23. It will also vary on experience and specialty....or lack there of. I say that because someone whos experience or specialty is a trackhoe operator will not be as valuable to a company as an operator who is capable of operating several different pieces of equipment. Much of the HEO industry is computerized now days so it has pulled down the value of a good operator. There was a time when a good bulldozer operator who could level a pad was worth alot of money, now days they stick a laser in the ground at one end, sync it with recievers on the dozer, flip a switch and all the operator has to do is drive and the computer works the blade as needed.

Also, if your in union territory the pay will be a little higher.

What about crane operators?

[scotty]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

What about crane operators?

Those make a little better, usually up in the $25 to $30 range depending on location due to the increased responsibility. If you mess up on a trackhoe or dozer you just rework the dirt. You mess up on a crane you destroy property and/or risk lives.

[canam]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

What about crane operators?

here is a link local 4 operating engineers me.,nh, and mass. pay has taken a big jump for them since i was a full time union ironworker.(retired now)ny will be even higher la,chi.too probably, very's widely depends on if your in a "right to work for less state" http://www.iuoelocal4.org/Iuoelocal4...ld%2006-11.pdf