Heavy equipment operator training in Virginia

13 heavy equipment operator programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

9 schools offer these heavy equipment operator programs, and Virginia 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 Virginia, 10 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma, 2 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.

All 13 are the same kind of program: heavy equipment operator course.

See the 13 programs

How much does heavy equipment operator training cost in Virginia?

$3,300 to $4,500 is what most heavy equipment operator programs in Virginia cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 13 programs with a price. All of them: $2,148 to $4,700

In the typical program

Finished the program: 99%
Working 6 months later: 60%
Earned a year, estimated: about $42,400
Length: 6 to 12 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 Virginia may also offer heavy equipment operator training. How these figures are made

Is there free heavy equipment operator training in Virginia?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴In program year 2024 it paid toward the training of at least 5 people at 1 of the 13 programs here.
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. Most heavy equipment operator programs in Virginia cost $3,300 to $4,500. Prices on this page run from $2,148 to $4,700.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 13 heavy equipment operator programs in Virginia approved for WIOA funding

13 programs

Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed
Heavy Equipment Operator
Southwest VA Community College
Cedar Bluff
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Southwest VA Community College, Cedar BluffHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$33,300
Price if you pay yourself$4,031
School website, Heavy Equipment Operator at Southwest VA Community College
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator at Southwest VA Community College
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
77%
Earned in a quarter
$8,323
Length
8 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
48
Earned a year, estimated
$33,300
Price if you pay yourself
$4,031
School website, Heavy Equipment Operator at Southwest VA Community College
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1
Germanna Community College
Fredericksburg
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Germanna Community College, FredericksburgHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$43,600
Price if you pay yourself$3,900
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 at Germanna Community College
Finished
97%
Working at 6 months
56%
Earned in a quarter
$10,897
Length
4 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
37
Earned a year, estimated
$43,600
Price if you pay yourself
$3,900
Heavy equipment operator courseHybridNo diploma needed
Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Piedmont Virginia Community College, CharlottesvilleHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$41,200
Price if you pay yourself$3,402
5 students trained with WIOA funding
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 at Piedmont Virginia Community College
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
50%
Earned in a quarter
$10,305
Length
12 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
27
Earned a year, estimated
$41,200
Price if you pay yourself
$3,402
students trained with WIOA funding
5
Heavy equipment operator courseHybridNo diploma needed
Heavy Equipment Operator Level 2
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Piedmont Virginia Community College, CharlottesvilleHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$29,300
Price if you pay yourself$3,402
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level 2 at Piedmont Virginia Community College
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
64%
Earned in a quarter
$7,315
Length
1 week, 16 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
17
Earned a year, estimated
$29,300
Price if you pay yourself
$3,402
Heavy equipment operator courseHybridNo diploma needed
NCCER CORE & Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 Bundle
Paul D Camp Community College
Franklin
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Paul D Camp Community College, FranklinHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$46,200
Price if you pay yourself$4,500
More details about NCCER CORE & Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 Bundle at Paul D Camp Community College
Finished
92%
Working at 6 months
44%
Earned in a quarter
$11,548
Length
12 weeks, 5 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
15
Earned a year, estimated
$46,200
Price if you pay yourself
$4,500
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personPrerequisite courses
Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1
New River Community College
Dublin
Accredited school
Prerequisite courses
New River Community College, DublinHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimated$47,100
Price if you pay yourself$2,148
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 at New River Community College
Finished
92%
Working at 6 months
100%
Earned in a quarter
$11,776
Length
30 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
13
Earned a year, estimated
$47,100
Price if you pay yourself
$2,148
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Heavy Equipment Operator Level 2
New River Community College
Dublin
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
New River Community College, DublinHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,148
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level 2 at New River Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
30 weeks, 50 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$2,148
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed
NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator 1
Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Central Virginia Community College, LynchburgHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,300
More details about NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator 1 at Central Virginia Community College
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
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$3,300
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed
NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator 2
Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Central Virginia Community College, LynchburgHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,300
More details about NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator 2 at Central Virginia Community College
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
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$3,300
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed
NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator 3
Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Central Virginia Community College, LynchburgHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,300
More details about NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator 3 at Central Virginia Community College
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
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$3,300
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed
Heavy Equipment Operations, Level 1
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Tidewater Community College, NorfolkHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,500
More details about Heavy Equipment Operations, Level 1 at Tidewater Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
12 weeks, 7 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$4,500
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed
Heavy Equipment Operator
Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Virginia Western Community College, RoanokeHeavy equipment operator course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,500
More details about Heavy Equipment Operator at Virginia Western Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
24 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$4,500
Heavy equipment operator courseIn personNo diploma needed
Heavy Equipment Operations Trianing
Tri-County Driving Academy, Inc.
Lebanon
No diploma needed
Tri-County Driving Academy, Inc., LebanonHeavy equipment operator courseIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,700
More details about Heavy Equipment Operations Trianing at Tri-County Driving Academy, Inc.
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
$200
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$4,700

How to pay for heavy equipment operator training in Virginia

WIOA funding can pay for heavy equipment operator training in Virginia

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 Virginia

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare: 3rd of 12
most heavy equipment operator programs of any state, after Ohio and Louisiana: 3rd

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).

Heavy equipment operator training in Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Blacksburg and other Virginia cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 more program is in 1 other area, 2 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Virginia

How heavy equipment operator training compares with the rest of skilled trades: Trade school programs in Virginia

Where the Virginia heavy equipment operator program numbers come from

Which Virginia heavy equipment operator programs are on this list?

These are the heavy equipment operator programs Virginia 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 Virginia offers.

How the prices and results of Virginia 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.

Sources for the facts about heavy equipment operator training in Virginia

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Heavy equipment operator training in Virginia

How much does heavy equipment operator training cost in Virginia?

Is there free heavy equipment operator training in Virginia?

All 13 heavy equipment operator programs in Virginia approved for WIOA funding