Operating Engineer
IUOE Local 49
Operate heavy construction equipment — excavators, cranes, bulldozers — to move earth and build infrastructure.
Starting Pay
$23.63/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$47.25/hr
~$95k/year
Apprenticeship
3 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$130,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Operating engineers from IUOE Local 49 operate and maintain the heavy equipment that builds Minnesota's roads, bridges, and commercial foundations. That means excavators, bulldozers, cranes, scrapers, graders, and more. The job requires both technical skill (knowing how to read grades, operate complex machinery safely) and physical awareness (working in confined areas around other workers). Operating engineers are the backbone of civil and heavy construction.
Day One as an Apprentice
You'll start your apprenticeship in the classroom learning equipment identification, safety protocols, and basic grade work. Early field time is spent observing and doing operator's helper work before you're allowed to operate solo. When you do get in the seat, you'll start on smaller machines like skid steers and compact excavators before moving to larger iron.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Period Apprentice | $23.63/hr | ~$47k |
| 2 | 2nd Period Apprentice | $30.71/hr | ~$61k |
| 3 | 3rd Period Apprentice | $37.80/hr | ~$76k |
| 4 | Journeyman Operating Engineer | $47.25/hr | ~$95k |
Benefits Package
Full health, dental, and vision coverage. Strong pension through the Central Pension Fund. Annuity savings plan. Heavy highway work often comes with prevailing wage rates and overtime.
Apprenticeship Program
3 years
Program Length
480 hrs
Classroom Hours
6,000 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Apply through the IUOE Local 49 training center at iuoe49.org. The application includes a written exam and physical. You'll need a valid CDL-A or B license (or willingness to obtain one), high school diploma, and drug clearance.
Application Windows
Applications accepted based on contractor demand — typically spring and early summer. Heavy highway construction season drives hiring.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license (CDL preferred)
- 18 years of age
- Pass a physical and drug test
- Clean driving record
Physical Requirements
- Ability to climb in and out of large equipment repeatedly
- Sit in vibrating equipment for extended periods
- Work outdoors in all weather conditions
- Good depth perception and spatial awareness
Tools You'll Need
- Work clothes appropriate for outdoor construction (provided PPE by employer)
- Personal tools are minimal — the machines are your tools
- Hard hat, safety vest, steel-toed boots, safety glasses
Physical Demand
3/5
Technical Level
3/5
Union Hall
Market Outlook
High Demand
MN DEED projects 10% growth for operating engineers and construction equipment operators (SOC 47-2073) 2022–2032 with about 670 annual openings — well above the BLS national projection of 4% 2024–2034. Minnesota infrastructure investment and road/bridge work drives strong state demand.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Statewide (MN, ND, SD). Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with IUOE Local 49 or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with IUOE Local 49.