What apprenticeships are available for heavy equipment operators in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, apprenticeships are typically registered through state apprenticeship agencies and trade union locals. See the apprenticeship section above for current contact information.

How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator in Wyoming (2026)

Q: How much do heavy equipment operators earn in Wyoming?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), heavy equipment operators in Wyoming earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,960. Employment concentration in Wyoming is about 4.40 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for heavy equipment operators in Wyoming?

Wyoming currently employs approximately 3,800 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Wyoming operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn a median annual wage of $62,960 ($30.27/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,800 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 5.2% above the national median of $59,850 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $62,960 ($30.27/hr)
25th percentile: $54,370 per year
75th percentile: $84,950 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $85,630 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,370 per year
Workers employed in Wyoming: 3,800
Versus national median: 5.2% above the U.S. median of $59,850
Job concentration: Location quotient 4.40 - this occupation is more concentrated in Wyoming than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Wyoming employs about 3,800 heavy equipment operators earning a median $62,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most heavy equipment operators train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Wyoming.

Key Facts

Median wage (Wyoming): $62,960/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Wyoming: 3,800 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 4.40x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 3.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Wyoming): $62,960 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator in Wyoming

How to become a Heavy Equipment Operator in Wyoming? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for heavy equipment operators in Wyoming.

How long does it take? Most paths into the heavy equipment operator field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do heavy equipment operators earn in Wyoming? The median annual wage for heavy equipment operators in Wyoming is $62,960 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,370 and experienced professionals can earn $85,630 or more ¹.

How to Become a Heavy Equipment Operator in Wyoming

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Wyoming training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Wyoming that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to heavy equipment operators in Wyoming before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Heavy Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Information in Wyoming

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.

Contact Information:

Office: Cheyenne Field Office
Address: 308 West 21st Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001-3661
Email: [email protected]

Heavy Equipment Operator Wages by Metro Area in Wyoming

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Wages by Metro Area in Wyoming

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators wages in Wyoming vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood	900	$63,850	$66,160	$47,060	$84,860
Casper	280	$54,870	$56,520	$43,440	$73,510
Cheyenne	270	$57,970	$57,210	$44,910	$71,790

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for heavy equipment operators in Wyoming? Wyoming currently employs approximately 3,800 heavy equipment operators ¹. Nationally, heavy equipment operator employment is projected to grow 3.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Wyoming? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wyoming.

How much do heavy equipment operators earn in Wyoming compared to the national average? The median annual wage for heavy equipment operators in Wyoming is $62,960, which is $4,250 above the national median of $58,710 according to BLS data ¹.

In Wyoming

Best Trade Schools in Wyoming (2026)

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)