Heavy equipment operator training in Pennsylvania
10 heavy equipment operator programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free
7 schools offer these heavy equipment operator programs, and Pennsylvania has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.
Heavy equipment operators drive and control the machines that build roads, bridges and buildings. Most have a high school diploma and learn on the job or in a three- or four-year apprenticeship, and many need a commercial driver's license to haul their equipment between jobsites.1
In Pennsylvania, 3 of the 10 programs take students without a high school diploma and 7 ask for a diploma or equivalent.
By kind, the 10 programs here are heavy equipment operator course (5 programs), heavy equipment with CDL (3 programs), heavy equipment operator apprenticeship (1 program) and heavy equipment operator (associate degree, 1 program).
See the 10 programsHow much does heavy equipment operator training cost in Pennsylvania?
$7,034 to $13,965 is what most heavy equipment operator programs in Pennsylvania cost if you pay yourself
That is the middle half of the 10 programs with a price. All of them: $825 to $41,846
In the typical program
- Finished the program
- 97%
- Working 6 months later
- Left out
- Pennsylvania's rates sit far below every other state's
- Earned a year, estimated
- about $56,100
- Length
- 7 to 37 weeks
Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Pennsylvania may also offer heavy equipment operator training. How these figures are made
All 10 heavy equipment operator programs in Pennsylvania approved for WIOA funding
Filters
10 programs
Heavy Equipment Operating Engineer Apprenticeship Certificat
Community College Allegheny County
Based in Oakdale, PA
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$53,200Price if you pay yourself$8,053Program website, Heavy Equipment Operating Engineer Apprenticeship Certificat at Community College Allegheny CountyMore details about Heavy Equipment Operating Engineer Apprenticeship Certificat at Community College Allegheny County
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- Left out
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,292
- Length
- 60 weeks, 11 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $2,250
- Students counted
- 344
- Earned a year, estimated
- $53,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $8,053
Heavy Construction Equipment Technology: Operator Emphasis
Pennsylvania College Of Technology
Based in Williamsport, PA
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$57,900Price if you pay yourself$41,846Program website, Heavy Construction Equipment Technology: Operator Emphasis at Pennsylvania College Of TechnologyMore details about Heavy Construction Equipment Technology: Operator Emphasis at Pennsylvania College Of Technology
- Finished
- 93%
- Working at 6 months
- Left out
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,467
- Length
- 60 weeks, 24 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $3,465
- Students counted
- 82
- Earned a year, estimated
- $57,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $41,846
Heavy Equipment Operator w/ CDL A License
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
Based in Pleasant Gap, PA
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$54,900Price if you pay yourself$12,9603 students trained with WIOA funding
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator w/ CDL A License at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
- Finished
- 96%
- Working at 6 months
- Left out
- Earned in a quarter
- $13,717
- Length
- 28 weeks, 26 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $836
- Students counted
- 61
- Earned a year, estimated
- $54,900
- Price if you pay yourself
- $12,960
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 3
Mobile Equipment Operations
Greater Johnstown Area Vo Tech Schl
Based in Johnstown, PA
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$17,230More details about Mobile Equipment Operations at Greater Johnstown Area Vo Tech Schl
- Finished
- 95%
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 24 weeks, 33 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $660
- Students counted
- 57
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $17,230
Heavy Equipment Operations (184 Hours)
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Based in Schnecksville, PA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$68,400Price if you pay yourself$5,87511 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Heavy Equipment Operations (184 Hours) at Lehigh Career & Technical InstituteMore details about Heavy Equipment Operations (184 Hours) at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
- Finished
- 97%
- Working at 6 months
- Left out
- Earned in a quarter
- $17,100
- Length
- 5 weeks, 40 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $162
- Students counted
- 37
- Earned a year, estimated
- $68,400
- Price if you pay yourself
- $5,875
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 11
Heavy Equipment Operations & CDL/A Training
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Based in Schnecksville, PA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$57,300Price if you pay yourself$11,37011 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Heavy Equipment Operations & CDL/A Training at Lehigh Career & Technical InstituteMore details about Heavy Equipment Operations & CDL/A Training at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- Left out
- Earned in a quarter
- $14,316
- Length
- 10 weeks, 33 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $956
- Students counted
- 14
- Earned a year, estimated
- $57,300
- Price if you pay yourself
- $11,370
- students trained with WIOA funding
- 11
Heavy Equipment
Cattaraugus Allegany Erie
Based in Olean, NY
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$36,200Price if you pay yourself$825Program website, Heavy Equipment at Cattaraugus Allegany ErieMore details about Heavy Equipment at Cattaraugus Allegany Erie
- Finished
- 100%
- Working at 6 months
- Left out
- Earned in a quarter
- $9,043
- Length
- 7 weeks, 8 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $150
- Students counted
- 10
- Earned a year, estimated
- $36,200
- Price if you pay yourself
- $825
Heavy Equipment 240 Hour
Trans American Technical Institute
Based in Jermyn, PA
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$6,695More details about Heavy Equipment 240 Hour at Trans American Technical Institute
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 6 weeks, 40 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $120
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $6,695
Heavy Equipment CDL Class B 320
Trans American Technical Institute
Based in Jermyn, PA
High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$9,595More details about Heavy Equipment CDL Class B 320 at Trans American Technical Institute
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 8 weeks, 40 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $725
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $9,595
Heavy Equipment Operations & Prevent Maint (1080 Hours)
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Based in Schnecksville, PA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reportedPrice if you pay yourself$14,300Program website, Heavy Equipment Operations & Prevent Maint (1080 Hours) at Lehigh Career & Technical InstituteMore details about Heavy Equipment Operations & Prevent Maint (1080 Hours) at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
- Finished
- Not reported
- Working at 6 months
- Not reported
- Earned in a quarter
- Not reported
- Length
- 40 weeks, 30 hours a week
- Cost of supplies
- $24
- Students counted
- Not reported
- Earned a year, estimated
- Not reported
- Price if you pay yourself
- $14,300
No programs match these filters.
How to pay for heavy equipment operator training in Pennsylvania
WIOA funding can pay for heavy equipment operator training in Pennsylvania
Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?
Financial aid and grants for heavy equipment operator training
Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67
GI Bill for heavy equipment operator training
Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8
The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.
Quick facts: Heavy equipment operator training in Pennsylvania
- programs with a price cost under $10,000
- 5 of 10
- lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
- 11th of 12
- heavy equipment operator programs here, against the typical state's 4
- 10 vs 4
State comparisons use the same figures as the heavy equipment operator training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).
Other training in Pennsylvania
How heavy equipment operator training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Pennsylvania
- CDL training108 programs
- CNA classes30 programs
- Medical assistant training23 programs
- Phlebotomy training12 programs
- Welding classes68 programs
- HVAC training47 programs
- Medical billing and coding training28 programs
- LPN programs42 programs
- EMT classes18 programs
- Electrician training31 programs
- Dental assistant programs24 programs
- Auto mechanic classes28 programs
- Pharmacy technician training10 programs
- Plumbing school14 programs
- CNC machinist training39 programs
- Carpentry classes20 programs
- Diesel mechanic training15 programs
- Cybersecurity training16 programs
- IT training82 programs
- Cosmetology school2 programs
- Esthetician school1 program
- Nail tech school2 programs
- EKG technician programs1 program
- Massage therapy school2 programs
- Paralegal programs15 programs
- Fire academy1 program
- Police academy4 programs
- Surgical tech programs2 programs
- Radiology tech programs4 programs
- Culinary school4 programs
- Home health aide training1 program
- PTA programs2 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training16 programs
- Human resources training3 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training18 programs
- Early childhood education programs13 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school1 program
- Supply chain and logistics training3 programs
- Hospitality management programs2 programs
- Addiction counselor training1 program
- Coding and software development courses18 programs
- Lineman school1 program
- Sterile processing technician training3 programs
- Sonography school3 programs
- Data analytics courses13 programs
- Administrative assistant training38 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs4 programs
- Medical lab technician programs1 program
- AutoCAD and drafting courses13 programs
- Digital marketing courses5 programs
- Web and graphic design courses10 programs
- Health information technology programs5 programs
- Vet tech programs1 program
- Real estate school1 program
- Patient care technician training5 programs
- Home inspector training3 programs
- Forklift certification5 programs
- Customer service training1 program
- Flight school1 program
- RBT certification training1 program
- Human services programs7 programs
- Manufacturing technician training3 programs
- Electronics technician training3 programs
- Business administration programs24 programs
- Criminal justice programs7 programs
- Auto body repair classes14 programs
- Sheet metal training2 programs
- Water treatment operator training3 programs
- Dialysis technician training1 program
- Masonry training7 programs
- Insurance license courses2 programs
- Construction training programs33 programs
- Dental hygiene programs3 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes34 programs
- RN programs25 programs
- Project management certification13 programs
Where the Pennsylvania heavy equipment operator program numbers come from
Which Pennsylvania heavy equipment operator programs are on this list?
These are the heavy equipment operator programs Pennsylvania approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Pennsylvania offers.
How the prices and results of Pennsylvania heavy equipment operator programs are measured
Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.
How reliable are the Pennsylvania figures?
We leave out the share working 6 months later for Pennsylvania: its rates sit far below every other state's, and the counts suggest jobs were traced only for students whose training was publicly paid.
Sources for the facts about heavy equipment operator training in Pennsylvania
Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction Equipment Operators
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
- US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
- US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List