Heavy Equipment Operator programs in Washington

5 registered apprenticeships, and no trade schools. Almost everyone enters this trade through a paid apprenticeship rather than a college programme, so there is nothing to compare against.

What the job pays in Washington

$81,700median, per year

This is what operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn across Washington, half above and half below. It is an experienced-worker figure, not a starting wage. Nationally the median is $59,850.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, SOC 47-2073 · survey 2025-05 · retrieved 2026-08-26

Paid apprenticeships · 3

These pay you from day one. No tuition.

Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Equipment Operator

Constr Equip Operator

Paid apprenticeship

Bellevue, WA · Non-union

Year-one pay

$28.44/hr

From day one

Journey rate

$43.75/hr

On completion

Term

6,000 hrs

+ 480 classroom

Registry lists this program active. Intake dates are not published.

Sponsor website Full detailWashington State Dept. of Labor & Industries, Apprenticeship Programs

Inland Northwest Chapter Associated General Contractors Operators AC

Constr Equip Operator

Paid apprenticeship

Spokane, WA · Non-union

Year-one pay

$22.61/hr

From day one

Journey rate

$34.79/hr

On completion

Term

6,000 hrs

+ 640 classroom

Registry lists this program active. Intake dates are not published.

Sponsor website Full detailWashington State Dept. of Labor & Industries, Apprenticeship Programs

Operating Engineers Regional Training Program JATC

Constr Equip Operator

Paid apprenticeship

Ellensburg, WA · Union

Year-one pay

$40.85/hr

From day one

Journey rate

$62.85/hr

On completion

Term

6,000 hrs

+ 480 classroom

Registry lists this program active. Intake dates are not published.

Sponsor website Full detailWashington State Dept. of Labor & Industries, Apprenticeship Programs

Also registered in Washington · 2

2 more sponsors appear in the federal register for this trade. It records that they exist and where, and nothing about pay, cost or intake. To reach one, search its name on the apprenticeship.gov partner finder, or call your state apprenticeship office.

International Union of Operating Engineers Local #280 Apprenticeship Committee · Richland, WA
Western Washington Operating Engineers Facilities Custodial Services Apprenticeship Committee · Auburn, WA

How to actually get in

Finding the program is the easy part. The application is where people fall down.

Applying for a heavy equipment operator apprenticeship

5 listings matched. Figures come from the publishers named on each card. Nothing on this page is estimated.