Drives the giant tunnel boring machines that dig subway, water, sewer and highway tunnels deep underground. BLS does not publish separate figures for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators; it counts them within operating engineer and other construction equipment operator (SOC 47-2073), whose median pay is $59,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-2073
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Tunnel Boring Machine Operator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $59,850a year, or $28.78/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $42KTop 10% $101K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.6%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 39,200489,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025489.5K
- Projected 2035511.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 489.5K Projected 2035 511.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school1.4%
- High school81.7%
- Certificate0.6%
- Some college16.3%
Highest education held by operating engineers and other construction equipment operators Segment Value Less than high school 1.4% High school 81.7% Certificate 0.6% Some college 16.3%
Also advertised as: TBM Operator, TBM Pilot, Tunnel Machine Operator, Microtunneling Operator, Tunnel Boring Machine Pilot.
Pay
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make?
Every tunnel boring machine operator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$59,850
Middle half earn $48,680 to $77,170
- 10th
- $42,190
- 25th
- $48,680
- 75th
- $77,170
- 90th
- $101,090
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $42,190 |
| 25th | $48,680 |
| Median | $59,850 |
| 75th | $77,170 |
| 90th | $101,090 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $59,850
- Median hourly wage
- $28.78/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $66,290
- People employed
- 478,090
Versus all US occupations
At $59,850, Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators earn 17% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $8,870 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
The median is typical for the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $101,090 or more while the bottom 10% earn $42,190, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 32% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Hawaii pays the most at $115,860, and still leads at $105,374 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hawaii | $115,860 | $105,374 | 2,380 |
| 2Illinois | $97,740 | $97,781 | 12,290 |
| 3New Jersey | $89,660 | $82,404 | 5,980 |
| 4California | $87,160 | $78,721 | 36,020 |
| 5Washington | $81,700 | $76,346 | 10,290 |
| 6New York | $80,980 | $75,036 | 14,490 |
| 7Indiana | $79,580 | $85,268 | 11,520 |
| 8Minnesota | $79,130 | $80,236 | 8,590 |
| 9Connecticut | $78,750 | $76,006 | 2,860 |
| 10Alaska | $77,810 | $76,017 | 3,050 |
Job outlook
Is Tunnel Boring Machine Operator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | +4.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators to change 4.6% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 22,300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 39,200 openings are projected each year, 8.0% of the 489,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Tunnel Boring Machine Operator
There is no standard school for TBM operation. Most operators work their way up on tunnel projects, often as members of an operating engineers or laborers union, or as tunnel workers in locals such as the sandhogs in New York, starting as miners or equipment operators and learning the machine from experienced pilots and manufacturer field staff.
Underground construction is governed by OSHA's 1926.800 standard for tunnels and shafts, and crews receive training on ventilation, gas monitoring and emergency procedures. The Underground Construction Association of SME connects tunneling professionals and offers industry education. Experience with heavy equipment and mechanical systems is the usual starting point.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as operating engineers and other construction equipment operators.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)81.7%
- Some College Courses16.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma1.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate0.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 81.7% |
| Some College Courses | 16.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Tunnel Boring Machine Operator do?
Tunnel boring machine operators control the massive machines that excavate tunnels for subways, rail lines, water supply, sewer storage and highways. From a control cabin inside the machine, the operator advances the rotating cutterhead, manages thrust and torque, balances face pressure, and steers the machine along the alignment using guidance systems.
The operator works with a crew of miners, mechanics, electricians and engineers. As the machine advances, the crew installs precast concrete segments that form the tunnel lining, removes excavated material by conveyor or rail, and changes worn cutters. Operators monitor screens of machine data and react to changing ground conditions to keep the tunnel on line and grade.
Day-to-day tasks
- Operate the cutterhead, thrust and steering of a tunnel boring machine
- Monitor face pressure, torque and machine guidance data
- Steer the machine to stay on tunnel line and grade
- Coordinate segment lining installation with the ring build crew
- Monitor muck removal by conveyor or rail
- Respond to changes in ground conditions
- Assist with cutter changes and machine maintenance
- Log machine performance and shift reports
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
TBM operators work underground in tunnels that can be noisy, damp, warm and far from the portal. Tunnel projects often run around the clock in shifts, and work moves from city to city with major infrastructure projects. Safety rules for air quality, emergency refuge and access are strict.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Listening3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Speaking2.9
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Active Learning2.9
- Learning Strategies2.1
- Writing2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 2.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
| Writing | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operation and Control4.1
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Equipment Maintenance3.3
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Repairing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 4.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.3 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Repairing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Facilities management software
- Time accounting software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Tunnel Boring Machine Operator?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RC) built on O*NET's Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Tunnel Boring Machine Operator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.6
- Investigative2.9
- Enterprising1.3
- Social1.1
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Tunnel Boring Machine Operator
O*NET related occupations
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Most earn $42K to $101K
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More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with operating engineers and other construction equipment operators highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Tunnel Boring Machine Operator$59,850
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Tunnel Boring Machine Operator | $59,850 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Tunnel Boring Machine Operator appears on
Questions
Tunnel Boring Machine Operator: frequently asked questions
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators. It counts them within operating engineer and other construction equipment operator, whose median pay is $59,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $48,680 and $77,170, and the top 10% earn $101,090 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Tunnel Boring Machine Operator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 81.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Tunnel Boring Machine Operator a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.6% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 39,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Tunnel Boring Machine Operator do?
Tunnel boring machine operators control the massive machines that excavate tunnels for subways, rail lines, water supply, sewer storage and highways. A typical task: operate the cutterhead, thrust and steering of a tunnel boring machine. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators the most?
The highest state medians for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are Hawaii ($115,860), Illinois ($97,740), New Jersey ($89,660) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Tunnel Boring Machine Operator?
O*NET scores Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.