Heavy Equipment Jobs With Big Rewards

If you’re looking for work that delivers big on the pay front, then heavy equipment operations, truck driving and crane operations can certainly deliver. The downside – you have to accept working conditions that are not exactly normal. What sort of work and working conditions? Consider these career paths:

Oil rigs – oil rigs are generally located well offshore. Workers fly in and work for up to 20 days (sometimes more) straight before flying back to shore for a week. On the upside, workers are very well paid, and there’s little to spend your money on out on an oil rig. Oil rig workers include riggers, signal persons and crane operators.

Mining – there are many mines that are located close to main centers, however, there are just as many that are located in fairly remote areas. Like oil rigs, workers may fly in, work for three or four weeks straight before flying home for a week. Some mines work shifts where your only ‘home’ time is once every six months. The pay is very good, the conditions not as harsh and tough as they were fifty years ago (you almost live and work in luxury now). Mines employ riggers, signal persons, truck drivers, crane operators, and a range of heavy equipment operators.

Forestry – most forestry plantations are now located close to main centers. However, there are still areas where ‘old’ timber is harvested, and these areas tend to be a long way from major service centers. Like the mining industry, the forestry industry requires workers from all areas of heavy equipment, truck driving and crane operations.

Military – if you’re looking for a lifestyle as well as a career, then the military could be worth investigating. The military employs truck drivers and heavy equipment operators (particularly bulldozer operators). You will need to go through regular recruiting processing including basic training. However, you not only receive a good wage, you receive all the benefits that go with being in the military. You will most likely spend some time overseas, possibly in areas like Afghanistan, depending on the requirements of the military at any given time.

When considering a career as a heavy equipment operator, truck driver or crane operator, you don’t have to focus on the more traditional work places; there are other well paid options. No matter where you decide to work, you will still need to develop the basic skills that are required to gain entry level employment. That means accessing the right training for the area in which you wish to work.