80
Construction & repair · Construction
Heavy Equip Op
Operate massive machinery.
CushionedCladScore™ 80/100 · Cushioned
Career economics
- Average salary
- $54k / yr
- Upper estimate
- $80k / yr
- Growth estimate
- +5%
- Demand
- Medium
- Green-energy relevance
- 40/100
- AI exposure
- Moderate
Requirements
- Eyesight
- Excellent
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Work at heights
- Not typical
- Own tools
- Not typical
Skills that matter
- Coordination · Physical95
- Safety · Soft100
- Maint · Technical75
A day in the work
- 1
Check
Walkaround.
- 2
Dig
Move dirt.
- 3
Grade
Level.
Trade matrix analysis
Six factors on one chart. A wider shape means more strength — but a high entry barrier or physical demand is a cost, not a benefit.
- Pay ceiling
- 32 · Upper estimate $80k
- Resilience
- 80 · CladScore 80
- Growth
- 63 · +5% estimate
- Entry barrier
- 40 · Shorter training route
- Physical demand
- 95 · Fitness: Moderate
- Green relevance
- 40 · 40/100
Verdict · Balanced
A steady, reliable option with moderate growth and resilience.
Illustrative 5-year pay path
Stable replacement demand as experienced workers retire or move on.
Not directly green-tech, but materials, waste and energy rules will still change the job.
Derived from DeepClad's illustrative catalogue, not a live forecast.
Your pathway in
Step 1
Trade School
6 Months · NCCER · Estimate $5k
- Then: build experience, specialise, and keep credentials current. Requirements vary by location.
Where it can lead
Illustrative figures from the supplied catalogue, not a live labour-market forecast. USD estimates vary by region.