Excavator Operator Training: How to Get Started, Get Certified, and Get Hired

In this article:

What excavator operators do and why demand is growing
How to become an excavator operator step by step
Excavator operator training options and what to expect
Excavator certification and OSHA safety requirements
Excavator operator salary, what you can realistically earn
How ATS prepares you for a career operating heavy equipment

Excavator operators are among the most in-demand skilled tradespeople in the country. With over 539,500 construction equipment operator jobs in the U.S. and an average of 46,200 new openings projected every year through 2034, the path from training to full-time work has rarely been shorter.

But getting behind the controls of a 20-ton excavator isn’t something you walk into cold. Employers, contractors, and federal safety standards all require operators to demonstrate real competency, the kind that only comes from hands-on training under qualified instructors.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about excavator operator training: what it covers, what certifications matter, what the job pays, and how to get started.

What Does an Excavator Operator Do?

Excavator operators use hydraulic machinery to dig, trench, grade, and move earth, debris, and construction materials on job sites. The work is physically demanding, technically precise, and absolutely essential to modern construction.

Common tasks include:

Digging foundations, trenches, and utility corridors
Grading and clearing land for roads, buildings, and runways
Loading trucks and stockpiling material
Demolishing structures and removing debris
Operating attachments, including hammers, grapples, and augers

Key Takeaway: Excavator operators work across construction, mining, utilities, and civil engineering, making this one of the most versatile equipment operator roles in the trades.

Excavators are used in nearly every type of civil and commercial construction project, including highway and bridge work, dam construction, airport runways, and underground utility installations.

Excavator Operator Salary: What Can You Earn?

Salary is usually the first question people ask, and the numbers are strong.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction equipment operators, the category that includes excavator operators, earned the following wages as of May 2024:

Wage Tier	Annual Salary
Median (50th percentile)	$58,320
Lower 10%	~$39,850
Upper 10%	~$99,930
Projected annual job openings	~46,200/year
10-year job growth (2024–2034)	4%

These figures represent national averages. Wages vary by region, employer, union membership, and specialization. Experienced operators in high-demand markets, particularly those certified on multiple equipment types, consistently earn well above the median.

Key Takeaway: The median excavator operator earns over $58,000 per year, with the top 10% exceeding $99,000, a strong return on a focused vocational training investment.

How to Become an Excavator Operator: Step by Step

There is no single mandatory path, but there is a clear sequence that leads to consistent, well-paying employment.

Step 1: Meet Basic Entry Requirements

Most excavator operator training programs require:

A high school diploma or GED.
Valid driver’s license (commercial driver’s license may be required for some roles).
Ability to pass a physical and drug screening.
Minimum age of 18.

There are no prior construction experience requirements for entry-level programs; training programs are designed to take beginners from zero to job-ready.

Step 2: Enroll in a Hands-On Training Program

This is the most important step. Formal training, not YouTube videos, not watching a coworker, is what prepares you to operate safely, pass employer evaluations, and satisfy OSHA’s competent person standards.

There are two primary training paths:

Vocational / Trade School Programs
Shorter, intensive programs (weeks to a few months) that provide foundational equipment operation skills. These programs focus on putting you in the seat as quickly as possible with qualified instruction. They are faster to complete than apprenticeships and are often the starting point for those who want to enter the workforce without a multi-year commitment.

Apprenticeship Programs
Formal apprenticeship programs, such as those offered through the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), combine on-the-job training with structured classroom instruction over 3 to 4 years. IUOE operates 95 training programs across the U.S. and Canada with more than 1,000 instructors. These programs lead to journeyman status and are widely recognized by major contractors and public agencies.

Step 3: Train on Real Equipment

Classroom knowledge and simulator time matter, but excavator operation requires real seat time on live machinery. The best programs give students extensive hours operating full-size excavators, backhoes, and related equipment on dedicated training yards.

At ATS, heavy equipment training puts students on actual equipment from day one, not scale models, not simulators alone. You learn to read the machine, feel resistance, manage grades, and operate safely in real conditions.

Step 4: Understand OSHA Safety Requirements

Federal law under OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart P governs excavation and trenching operations at all U.S. job sites. Every excavation site is legally required to have a “competent person” on-site, someone with the training and authority to identify hazards and take immediate corrective action.

Key requirements under 29 CFR 1926.651:

Daily inspections of excavations and protective systems before and during work
Soil classification by a competent person to determine appropriate slope or shoring
Immediate removal of workers when hazards are identified

Key Takeaway: OSHA does not issue a single “excavator operator license,” but federal law requires operators to meet competent person standards, making formal training essential for legal job site compliance.

Employers take these requirements seriously. Operators who arrive with documented training and an understanding of Subpart P requirements are more employable from day one.

Step 5: Pursue Relevant Credentials

While excavator-specific national certifications are not currently mandated at the federal level, credentials significantly strengthen your resume and earning power:

OSHA Competent Person, Training and documentation that satisfies Subpart P standards is recognized by most major construction contractors.
State Licensing, Some states have additional operator licensing requirements. Check your state’s requirements before starting work.

What to Expect from Excavator Operator Training at ATS

Associated Training Services (ATS) has been preparing heavy equipment operators since 1996, building on a family tradition of vocational education that goes back to 1959. The training program at ATS is built around one principle: get students on real equipment, with real instructors, in conditions that mirror actual job sites.

What ATS’s heavy equipment training covers:

Excavator operation, including trenching, grading, and material handling
Backhoe, wheel loader, bulldozer, and other equipment types
Safety protocols, OSHA standards, and competent person requirements
Equipment inspection and pre-operation checklists
Site preparation and grade reading fundamentals

Students train at ATS’s campus in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, with access to a range of full-size heavy equipment. The program offers financial assistance and housing available for students relocating from out of state.

ATS also provides:

Career Services, job leads in local communities after graduation
Financial assistance, financing options to help cover tuition
Military benefits, support for veterans using education benefits
Training dates and scheduling, multiple class starts throughout the year

Industries That Hire Excavator Operators

The demand for qualified excavator operators spans every major sector of the construction economy:

Specialty trade contractors, the single largest employer group for equipment operators
Heavy and civil engineering construction, highways, bridges, dams, runways, and public infrastructure
Utilities, pipeline installation, electrical infrastructure, fiber optic trenching
Mining and extraction, surface mining, quarrying, and land clearing
Local and state government, public works, municipal construction, and highway departments

Infrastructure investment remains a strong tailwind. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed in 2021, committed over $1 trillion to U.S. transportation, utilities, and public works over a decade, directly sustaining demand for excavator operators and other heavy equipment professionals throughout the construction cycle.

Key Takeaway: Excavator operators are hired across construction, utilities, mining, and government sectors, this is not a one-industry skill set.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does excavator operator training take?
Vocational training programs can be completed in weeks to a few months depending on the program. ATS’s heavy equipment program is structured to move students from enrollment to job-ready status as efficiently as possible with intensive hands-on training.

Do you need a license to operate an excavator?
There is no single federal excavator operator license. However, OSHA requires all excavation job sites to have a “competent person” with documented training under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P. Many employers also require operators to hold certifications or complete approved training programs before being authorized to operate equipment on their sites.

What is the starting salary for an excavator operator?
Entry-level excavator operators typically earn in the range of $18–$24/hour depending on location, employer, and training background. According to BLS data, the lowest 10% of construction equipment operators earn approximately $39,850 annually, while the median is $58,320. Wages increase significantly with experience, specialization, and union membership.

Can veterans use GI Bill benefits for excavator operator training at ATS?
Yes. ATS accepts military education benefits for eligible veterans. The school’s military benefits page outlines how to apply your GI Bill or other VA education benefits toward heavy equipment training.

Start Your Excavator Operator Training

The equipment is waiting. The jobs are there. The only variable is whether you have the training to compete for them.

ATS has prepared thousands of heavy equipment operators for careers in construction and civil engineering. With hands-on training, Career Services, and flexible financing, ATS gives you everything you need to get started and stay employed.

Ready to take the next step?