Excavator Operator Overview

Required Education and Training To Become an Excavator Operator

Best Schools to become a Excavator Operator in U.S. 2024

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,815
Out-of-State Tuition:$36,239
Admission Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:74,014

University of Houston

Houston, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,685
Out-of-State Tuition:$20,877
Admission Rate:66%
Graduation Rate:63%
Total Enrollment:46,700

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO

In-State Tuition:$9,903
Out-of-State Tuition:$29,861
Admission Rate:91%
Graduation Rate:67%
Total Enrollment:33,403

Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville

Nashville, TN

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:55%
Total Enrollment:1,053

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

In-State Tuition:$4,477
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,694
Admission Rate:23%
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:55,211

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,606
Out-of-State Tuition:$20,030
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:56%
Total Enrollment:38,171
Excavator Operator Job Description:
  • Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become an Excavator Operator

Job Duties for Excavator Operators

  • Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.

  • Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.

Technologies and Skills Used by Excavator Operators

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Industrial control software

  • Machine control systems
  • Machine monitoring software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things
  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for an Excavator Operator

Additional Resources To Help You Become an Excavator Operator

FAQs About Becoming an Excavator Operator