How to Land a Top-Paying Shovel operators Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Resumes and Cover Letters, Interviews, Salaries, Promotions, What to Expect From Recruiters and More. Richard Manuel
product raw material merchant wholesalers 15
Food manufacturing 12
Warehousing and storage 7
Injuries
Some material moving machine operator jobs can be dangerous. For example, crane operators and hoist and winch operators work outdoors at great heights in all types of weather.
Operators in some industries might be exposed to harmful chemicals or dangerous machinery. However, these jobs have become far less dangerous as safety equipment and regulations have improved. Many workers wear gloves, hardhats, or respirators.
Work Schedules
Most material movers work full time and have 8-hour shifts, although longer shifts and overtime are common. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some operators—especially those in warehousing—work overnight shifts.
How to Become a Material Moving Machine Operator
Most material moving machine operators are trained on the job in under one month.
There are generally no formal education requirements. Some employers require previous work experience.
Education
Although it is usually not required, some companies prefer material movers with a high school degree.
Training
Most material moving machine operators are trained on the job in less than a month. Some machines are more complex than others, so the amount of time spent in training will vary with the type of machine the operator is using. Training time also can vary by industry. Most workers are trained by a supervisor or another experienced employee, who decides when the workers are ready to work on their own.
The International Union of Operating Engineers offers apprenticeship programs for heavy equipment operators, such as excavating machine operators or crane operators. Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with technical instruction.
During their training, machine operators learn a number of safety rules, many of which are standardized through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Employers must certify that each operator has received the proper training. Operators who work with hazardous materials receive further specialized training.
Licenses
Several states and many cities require crane operators to be licensed. To get a license, operators typically must complete a skills test in which they show that they can control a crane. They also usually must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of safety rules and procedures.
Work Experience
Forklift operators usually have a few years of experience in a related occupation, such as hand mover or conveyor operator. For more information see the profile on hand laborers and material movers.
Crane operators and excavating machine operators usually have several years of experience in related occupations. They may start as construction laborers and work as construction equipment operators or hoist and winch operators. For more information, see the profiles on construction laborers and helpers and construction equipment operators.
Advancement
Some material moving machine operators become construction equipment operators. Others find work as a production or mining worker. In warehousing or retail environments, experienced workers can move to other parts of the company, such as the sales department.
Important Qualities
Alertness. Machine operators must stay aware of their surroundings while operating machinery.
Manual dexterity. Operators sometimes have to maneuver their machines through tight spaces, around large objects, and on uneven surfaces.
Mechanical ability. Operators make minor adjustments to their machines when necessary.
Visual ability. When operating their machines, operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving. They also must watch for nearby workers, who may unknowingly get in their path.
Pay
Material Moving Machine Operators
Median annual wages, May 2010
Total, All Occupations
$33,840
Material Moving Machine Operators
$30,800
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
$28,400
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
The median annual wage of material moving machine operators was $30,800 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,780, and the top 10 percent earned more than $49,100.
The median wages for material moving machine operator occupations in May 2010 were the following:
$46,230 for crane and tower operators
$45,910 for underground mining loading machine operators
$37,670 for hoist and winch operators
$36,920 for excavating and loading machine and dragline operators
$33,690 for dredge operators
$29,780 for industrial truck and tractor operators
$29,270 for conveyor operators and tenders
Many material moving machine operators are members of a union.
Most material movers work full time and have 8-hour shifts, although longer shifts and overtime are common. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some operators—especially those in warehousing—work overnight shifts.
Job Outlook
Material Moving Machine Operators
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
15%
Total, All Occupations
14%
Material Moving Machine Operators
12%
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Employment of material moving machine operators is projected to grow 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Employment of both conveyor operators and tenders and industrial truck and tractor operators is expected to grow 12 percent. Both of these occupations are heavily concentrated in warehouse environments. The need for warehouses will grow as consumer spending increases.
However, employment growth will be limited as automation becomes more commonplace. Most warehouses are installing equipment such as high-speed conveyors, high-speed sorting systems, and robotic pickers. This equipment increases the efficiency of material movers, allowing warehouses to trim the numbers of workers they employ.
Employment of crane and tower operators is projected to grow 16 percent. As global shipping increases, more of these operators will be needed at ports to load and unload large cargo ships. Employment growth also will be driven by the recovery of the construction industry, in which many of these workers are employed. Employment