There is a good reason why would you want to start a career as a heavy equipment operator.
The pay is good. You can earn as much as $50,000 a year working in this field.
You have to take the heavy equipment operator training in Delaware to become a professional individual.
Aside from that initial training, you can take an apprenticeship program or an on-the-job training for you to be able to gain experience.
I don’t have to tell you that experienced heavy equipment operators are the one preferred by the employer and offered a good pay.
The continuous growth in construction and civil projects makes this profession as one of the highly sought after careers.
It is projected that by the next 20 years, the growth of the construction industry is in continuous climb and the demand for skilled individuals to man the heavy equipment is also projected to grow.
If you want to become a heavy equipment operator in Delaware, here’s what you need to do:
Before you continue reading this article, you might want to READ these articles that can help in becoming a heavy equipment operator:
- Can You Be A Heavy Equipment Operator If You Have DUI or DWI?
- Can You Use Your Heavy Equipment Operator License to Work in Another State?
- Can I Use My Heavy Equipment License to Work for Another Company?
- Best Places to Get Job as a Heavy Equipment Operator
- Is Drug Test Mandatory For Heavy Equipment Operator?
- How to Pass the Heavy Equipment Operator Training Practical Test?
- How to Get a Heavy Equipment Operator License?
How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator
If you finally made a decision of becoming an operator, 5 steps you need to do.
- Decide if this job is the one right for you – if you after for the pay and you don’t have what it takes to become a heavy equipment operator, then you won’t succeed in this career. So, make sure, you know what you are getting into. If you still don’t know if this job is the one you want to do, here’s an article to help you.
- Complete the requirements - Just like any other career, you need to have the requirements to get into this field. You must be at the right age and have at least high school diploma to become an operator. Here’s the complete list of requirements you must have.
- Enrolling in a heavy equipment operator training course – this training course has become popular in the recent years and such course is now being offered by the community colleges or technical schools and as well as by the privately-run training schools. There will always be a school where you can enroll in near to where you are. We have list or directory of them. Find them in the menu located on the left or bottom of this page, just choose the state where you are.
- Take an apprenticeship program to expand your education and scope – Though it takes some time to complete such training, usually takes about 3-4 years, but it will definitely boost your experience and education. Taking the apprenticeship will make your more employable and offered a good pay.
- Set out and look for a job – after completing the initial heavy equipment training, accomplishing all the requirements and taking an apprenticeship course, you are now ready to become an operator. The union where you graduated most likely has the job opportunities for you. Other means of searching for a job is through the online job boards, asking your colleagues, or inquire with the school where you took the initial training from, they usually have a network of companies that need individuals like you.
If you want to build your skill operating heavy equipment, whether you’re a beginner or seasoned individual, taking the heavy equipment training can definitely give you benefits and advantages.
Having it under your belt is the way to motivate yourself, gain confidence, boost your employability and even your chance for a job promotion.
Heavy Equipment Operator Schools in Delaware
If you are looking for a school to enroll in, READ this article: 10 Criteria in Choosing Best Heavy Equipment Training School?
- Delaware Technical and Community College - Owens
Georgetown, DE
Call: (302) 259-6000 - James H. Groves Adult High School
Marshallton Education Center, 1703 School Lane, Wilmington, DE 19808
Phone: (302) 683-3652 - Total Equipment Training
4425 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19802
Blue Hen Corporate Center, 655 S. Bay Road, Suite 2H, Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 610.321.2679; Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE Local 542)
The main office is located in Fort Washington, PA, but this local is registered in Delaware as well.
If you are choosing where to enroll in, find the school that has the current and modern equipment, have both the formal and practical training, offers employment after graduating from the training course, low student-to-trainer ratio and has the preparation exam as part of the training course.
Don’t settle for the school that has a cheap enrollment fee, they don’t usually meet the present standard and you won’t be getting much education.
Requirements of a Heavy Equipment Operator in DE
For the complete list of requirements, BROWSE this article: What at the Requirements You Need to e a Heavy Equipment Operator
- You must pass the standard medical test to guarantee your health since the nature of the job is physically demanding, you must be in good health.
- In some circumstances, the employer may require a job candidate to undergo a background check, criminal check, and drug test. Though, it may not be required sometimes.
- You must have completed high school or in possession of a GED equivalent as its equivalent.
- If you will be working with cranes, the state of Delaware doesn’t have licensing requirements for crane operators. Therefore, you may not need a separate license to operate such equipment. You just need a CCO certification or other equipment certificate.
- You must have a driver’s license and it should be good standing. In some instances, then you will be operating large flatbed trailer and other equipment on the public road, you have CDL license. You can apply for CDL license here if don’t have it yet.
- You must have with you a certificate of completion of heavy equipment training together with other credentials such as employment certificates, other training certificates. These credentials boost your employability and desirability.
- You must be in great physical shape since you already know that the work and responsibilities of an operator are physically demanding, you must have such requirement to start a career in heavy equipment operation. How to Apply & Pass Department of Transportation Physical Exam?
Responsibilities of Heavy Equipment Operator
- You shall operate the heavy equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. You shall not use the equipment for any other means it is not intended to.
- You shall responsible for the understanding of safety protocols being implemented by the company. You shall implement those protocols at all times in the performance of your job and advocate others for compliance with it.
- You shall perform general maintenance of the heavy equipment you are operating. Maintain constant inspection of the equipment and report to superior whenever there is a problem for immediate maintenance repair.
- You must demonstrate your skill to work independently when working with an excavator, scraper, loader and other pieces of material handling heavy equipment to meet assigned work targets.
- You must be familiar working with the team and coordinate with others and you must have the willingness to assume additional work obligations as required by the supervisor.
- The work of a heavy equipment operator exceeds 8 hours. You must be willing to work beyond the 8-hour (during night or day) shift when needed and during holiday or special days whenever necessary.
Salary of Operators in the State of Delaware
The average salary of operators in Delaware is $73,557 per year. But it falls in the range of $61,510-$83,446 depending on some factors.
The salary of heavy equipment operators working in Delaware varies depending on the city where they’re working. As of March 28, 2023, Salary.com has reported this:
Bethany Beach | $74,407 |
Bridgeville | $74,124 |
Dover | $73,754 |
Hockessin | $73,557 |
Laurel | $72,895 |
Milton | $74,124 |
Rockland | $73,557 |
New Castle | $73,557 |
Newark | $73,501 |
Selbyville | $74,407 |
Viola | $73,927 |
Wilmington | $73,557 |
If you will work in Maryland, the salary is a bit lower.
If you want to know how much you would get as a heavy equipment operator and where can you get employment, BROWSE these pages:
- Heavy Equipment Operator Salary (Year 2018): How Much Can You Make?
- Best Places to Get Job as a Heavy Equipment Operator
The heavy equipment operators work in construction sites, mining agriculture, and manufacturing industries.
The salary you can receive will depend on the industry where you want to work in.
You will also work on different types of machines. You could be a crane operator, a loader operator or a large truck driver. The type of heavy equipment you can and will handle will also determine the salary you receive.
Your experience and the education you’ve acquired through the years will also dictate how much you can make as a heavy equipment operator. Employers obviously preferred experience individuals and they usually offered good pay.
If you are an entry-level individual, you can gain experience by joining a union apprenticeship, and from there you can elevate your career as an operator.
To Conclude This
If you are thinking of becoming a heavy equipment operator, then be reluctant no more.
This profession is in good demand and will be in constant demand for the next coming decades. The boom in many different industries such as construction, manufacturing, and mining has something to do with it.
If you want to delve into this career, you have to make sure you completed a heavy equipment operator training in Delaware.
You can expect to make good pay and employment is long term.