No formal educational credential

None

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. They may perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products, and gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.

No formal educational credential

None

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, also called mechanics, inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles and machinery used in construction, farming, rail transportation, and other industries.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Pile-driver Operators use large machines mounted on skids, barges, or cranes to hammer long, heavy beams of concrete, wood, or steel into the ground to support retaining walls, bridges, piers, or building foundations.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories.

No formal educational credential

None

Hand Laborers and Material Movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Some of these workers feed or remove material to or from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors coordinate and supervise the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. They can determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity, and also may accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. This category includes loadmasters.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.

No formal educational credential

None

Conveyor Operators and Tenders control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators use construction equipment like bulldozers and front-end loaders to dig, move, and grade earth; erect structures; or pour concrete. Among other duties, they may repair and maintain equipment.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Industrial machinery mechanics and machinery maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.

No formal educational credential

None

Construction Laborers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Riggers set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters install and repair piping fixtures and systems.

High school diploma or equivalent

5 years or more

First-line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

Crane and Tower Operators operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Line installers and repairers, also known as line workers, install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.

No formal educational credential

None

Pipelayers lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. They may be asked to perform tasks such as grading trenches or culverts, positioning pipes, or sealing joints.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Rail-track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators install, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines.

High school diploma or equivalent

Less than 5 years

Surface Mining Excavating Machine, Loading Machine, and Dragline Operators handle or tend machinery at surface mining sites. They use vehicles and tools equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

High school diploma or equivalent

None

Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

No formal educational credential

None

Underground Mining Loading and Moving Machine Operators use underground loading or moving machines to load or move coal, ore, or rock using shuttle or mine car or conveyors. Their equipment may include power shovels, hoisting engines equipped with cable-drawn scraper or scoop, or machines equipped with gathering arms and conveyor.