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Heavy equipment operator training in Washington

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

5 schools offer these heavy equipment operator programs, and Washington 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 Washington, 3 of the 10 programs take students without a high school diploma, and 4 are taught partly or fully online.

See the 10 programs

How much does heavy equipment operator training cost in Washington?

$11,800 to $23,500 is what most heavy equipment operator programs in Washington cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 7 programs with a price. All of them: $11,800 to $35,000

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
84%
Earned a year, estimated
about $79,700
Length
5 to 72 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 Washington may also offer heavy equipment operator training. How these figures are made

Is there free heavy equipment operator training in Washington?

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

Heavy equipment operator training in Longview, Seattle, Ellensburg and other Washington cities

Choosing an area filters the list below.

All 10 heavy equipment operator programs in Washington approved for WIOA funding

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10 programs

  • Heavy equipment operator apprenticeshipHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction Equipment Operator

    Operating Engineers Regional Training Program JATC

    Ellensburg

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Operating Engineers Regional Training Program JATC, Ellensburg · Heavy equipment operator apprenticeship · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$79,700
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Construction Equipment Operator at Operating Engineers Regional Training Program JATC
    More details about Construction Equipment Operator at Operating Engineers Regional Training Program JATC
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    84%
    Earned in a quarter
    $19,921
    Length
    150 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    256
    a year, estimated
    $79,700
    price
    Not reported

  • Heavy equipment operator courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Heavy Equipment Operator

    West Coast Training

    Woodland

    High school diploma or equivalent

    West Coast Training, Woodland · Heavy equipment operator course · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$48,000
    Price if you pay yourself$17,500
    Program website, Heavy Equipment Operator at West Coast Training
    More details about Heavy Equipment Operator at West Coast Training
    Finished
    97%
    Working at 6 months
    72%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,990
    Length
    8 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $349
    Students counted
    106
    a year, estimated
    $48,000
    price
    $17,500

  • Heavy equipment operator apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction Equipment Operator

    Inland Northwest Chapter Associated General Contractors Operators Apprentic

    Spokane Valley

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Inland Northwest Chapter Associated General Contractors Operators Apprentic, Spokane Valley · Heavy equipment operator apprenticeship · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$80,300
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Construction Equipment Operator at Inland Northwest Chapter Associated General Contractors Operators Apprentic
    More details about Construction Equipment Operator at Inland Northwest Chapter Associated General Contractors Operators Apprentic
    Finished
    32%
    Working at 6 months
    85%
    Earned in a quarter
    $20,068
    Length
    90 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    99
    a year, estimated
    $80,300
    price
    Not reported

  • Crane operator and riggingIn personNo diploma needed

    NCCCO Crane and Rigger

    West Coast Training

    Woodland

    No diploma needed

    West Coast Training, Woodland · Crane operator and rigging · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$70,000
    Price if you pay yourself$17,500
    School website, NCCCO Crane and Rigger at West Coast Training
    More details about NCCCO Crane and Rigger at West Coast Training
    Finished
    97%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $17,512
    Length
    8 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $153
    Students counted
    43
    a year, estimated
    $70,000
    price
    $17,500

  • Heavy equipment operator apprenticeshipIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Construction Equipment Operator

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Equipme

    Bellevue

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Equipme, Bellevue · Heavy equipment operator apprenticeship · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$84,600
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    Program website, Construction Equipment Operator at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Equipme
    More details about Construction Equipment Operator at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington - Construction Equipme
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $21,154
    Length
    150 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    33
    a year, estimated
    $84,600
    price
    Not reported

  • Heavy equipment operator courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Heavy Equipment Operator Level I

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington

    Bellevue

    No diploma needed

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington, Bellevue · Heavy equipment operator course · Hybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$11,800
    Program website, Heavy Equipment Operator Level I at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington
    More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level I at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $11,800

  • Heavy equipment operator courseHybridPrerequisite courses

    Heavy Equipment Operator Level II

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington

    Bellevue

    Prerequisite courses

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington, Bellevue · Heavy equipment operator course · Hybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$11,800
    Program website, Heavy Equipment Operator Level II at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington
    More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level II at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $11,800

  • Heavy equipment operator courseHybridPrerequisite courses

    Heavy Equipment Operator Level III

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington

    Bellevue

    Prerequisite courses

    Construction Industry Training Council of Washington, Bellevue · Heavy equipment operator course · Hybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$11,800
    Program website, Heavy Equipment Operator Level III at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington
    More details about Heavy Equipment Operator Level III at Construction Industry Training Council of Washington
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $11,800

  • Crane operator and riggingIn personNo diploma needed

    NCCCO Cranes and Heavy Equipment Operator

    West Coast Training

    Woodland

    No diploma needed

    West Coast Training, Woodland · Crane operator and rigging · In person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$29,500
    Program website, NCCCO Cranes and Heavy Equipment Operator at West Coast Training
    More details about NCCCO Cranes and Heavy Equipment Operator at West Coast Training
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $502
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $29,500

  • Crane operator and riggingIn personPrerequisite courses

    NCCCO Crane/Rigger, Heavy Equipment Operator

    West Coast Training

    Woodland

    Prerequisite courses

    West Coast Training, Woodland · Crane operator and rigging · In person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$35,000
    School website, NCCCO Crane/Rigger, Heavy Equipment Operator at West Coast Training
    More details about NCCCO Crane/Rigger, Heavy Equipment Operator at West Coast Training
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 45 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $502
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $35,000

How to pay for heavy equipment operator training in Washington

WIOA funding can pay for heavy equipment operator training in Washington

Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.2People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.3Your state or local area may limit how much WIOA pays and for how long. If a program costs more, a Pell Grant, a scholarship or severance pay can cover the rest.4

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).5

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.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Quick facts: Heavy equipment operator training in Washington

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
13th of 13
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).

Where the Washington heavy equipment operator program numbers come from

Which Washington heavy equipment operator programs are on this list?

These are the heavy equipment operator programs Washington 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 Washington offers.

How Washington heavy equipment operator program prices are reported

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. "Trained with WIOA funding" on a program counts the people whose training there WIOA paid toward through a training account in program year 2024; the file never gives counts under 3, so a program without the line may still take WIOA students. It does not say how much of the price WIOA covered. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.

What the graduate results of these programs measure

The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.

Why do some heavy equipment operator programs say "Not reported"?

Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.

Why the kind of school is left off each program

The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.

Other training in Washington

Sources for the facts about heavy equipment operator training in Washington

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Construction Equipment Operators
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220 and 680.310: career services before training, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. 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