VA-approved heavy equipment operator programs and apprenticeships
- Page last updated October 24, 2026
- VA data retrieved October 24, 2026 (Comparison Tool data version 1522)
Quick answer
VA's GI Bill® Comparison Tool lists 227 heavy equipment operator training locations in 49 states and territories, with 265 approved programs. 156 of them offer apprenticeship or on-the-job training. What the GI Bill pays for heavy equipment school.
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Source: VA GI Bill Comparison Tool program data, retrieved October 24, 2026; school details from VA's Comparison Tool data file dated October 8, 2026. Caution flags are shown in VA's wording.
Heavy Equipment Operator programs by state
- Arizona (8)
- California (10)
- Colorado (5)
- Florida (6)
- Georgia (12)
- Illinois (10)
- Indiana (6)
- Kentucky (6)
- Louisiana (7)
- Maryland (7)
- New York (17)
- North Carolina (9)
- Ohio (10)
- Oklahoma (6)
- Pennsylvania (8)
- South Carolina (5)
- Texas (15)
- Virginia (5)
- Wisconsin (6)
States with at least 5 locations have their own page. Use the filter above for any state.
Counts for all 49 states and territories
| State | Locations | With school programs | With apprenticeship / OJT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Alaska | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Arizona | 8 | 1 | 7 |
| Arkansas | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| California | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Colorado | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Connecticut | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Delaware | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Florida | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Georgia | 12 | 2 | 10 |
| Idaho | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Illinois | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Indiana | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Iowa | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Kansas | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Kentucky | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Louisiana | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Maine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Maryland | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Michigan | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Mississippi | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Missouri | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Montana | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Nebraska | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Nevada | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| New Jersey | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| New Mexico | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| New York | 17 | 5 | 12 |
| North Carolina | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| North Dakota | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Ohio | 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Oregon | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| South Carolina | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| South Dakota | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Tennessee | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Texas | 15 | 2 | 13 |
| Utah | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Virginia | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Washington | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| West Virginia | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Wisconsin | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Wyoming | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
How many heavy equipment operator programs are approved for the GI Bill?
As of October 24, 2026, VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool lists 265 approved programs at 227 locations in 49 states and territories. By type: 156 employers and apprenticeship sponsors, 54 public colleges and technical schools, 16 for-profit schools, 1 private nonprofit school.
Which states have the most GI Bill-approved heavy equipment operator locations?
By number of locations in VA's data: New York (17), Texas (15), Georgia (12), California (10), Illinois (10).
How much heavy equipment operator training approved for the GI Bill is on the job?
156 locations offer VA-approved apprenticeship or on-the-job training (69% of all locations), with 172 programs. The other locations offer school (non-college degree) programs only.
[VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool] [VA: On-the-job training and apprenticeships]
What are heavy equipment operator programs usually called in VA's data?
The most common program titles are “Operating Engineer” (49), “Heavy Equipment Operator” (47), “Equipment Operator” (21), “Construction Equipment Operator” (9), “Certificate: Heavy Equipment Operator” (7). Titles are as the school or employer reported them to VA.
Do any heavy equipment operator schools have VA caution flags?
Yes. 9 locations have at least one VA caution flag. We show each flag on its listing in VA's wording.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “GI Bill Comparison Tool”. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Non-college degree programs” (page last updated December 13, 2024). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “On-the-job training and apprenticeships” (page last updated February 4, 2025). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Post-9/11 GI Bill rates (Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027)” (page last updated October 13, 2026). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.