Those looking for San Antonio construction jobs may want to consider a position as an operating engineer and other construction equipment operator. Visit http://sanantonio.jobing.com/jobs/construction to learn more.

Construction equipment operators use a variety of machinery to move construction materials, earth, and other heavy materials at construction sites. They may use such things as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, and front-end loaders.

Most employers prefer to hire applicants who have at least a high school diploma. Candidates for construction equipment operator positions can gain additional training through a formal apprenticeship program, on-the-job training, or a combination of the two.

There were about 469,300 construction equipment operators throughout the nation during 2008, and 404,500 of those positions were for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment of both construction equipment operators as a whole and operating engineers and other construction equipment operators specifically is expected to increase by 12 percent by 2018.

About 63 percent of construction equipment operators work in the construction industry and about 16 percent percent work in local government. Many others work in heavy and civil engineering construction, mining, local government, and manufacturing or utility companies. Only about 3 percent are self-employed.

Employment of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the San Antonio area is expected to increase from 300 workers during 2006 to 350 workers by 2016, resulting in 50 additional jobs and an overall growth rate of 16.7 percent, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Throughout Texas as a whole, employment is anticipated to grow from 39,650 workers during 2006 to 48,700 workers by 2016, accounting for 9,050 additional jobs and an overall increase of 22.8 percent.

The top industries that employ operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the San Antonio include:

• Local government, except education - 22.78 percent
• Highway, street, and bridge construction - 14.72 percent
• Other specialty trade contractors - 13.36 percent
• Utility system construction - 13.05 percent
• Non-residential building construction - 6.56 percent
• Other heavy and civil engineering construction - 5.72 percent
• Support activities for mining - 3.17 percent
• Cement and concrete product manufacturing - 2.50 percent
• Building equipment contractors - 2.16 percent

During 2009, the average wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in the San Antonio area was $15.46 per hour, while the average wage throughout Texas was $16.27 per hour and the average wage across the nation was $21.24 per hour.

Labels: San Antonio construction jobs