A heavy equipment operator at an excavation company runs excavators, dozers, loaders and skid steers to dig foundations, cut and fill grades, and trench for utilities. They read the site plan and stakes, check the machine before each shift, and keep an eye on everyone working on the ground.
By the HireBus team · Updated · Pay data: BLS, May 2025
Median pay, other specialty trade contractors · BLS, May 2025
Responsible for operating heavy earthmoving machinery to execute excavation and site work projects efficiently and safely.
2. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Operate and maintain heavy machinery following detailed site plans and project specifications.
Execute excavation and grading tasks ensuring compliance with design requirements and quality standards.
Conduct routine equipment inspections and perform minor maintenance tasks to prevent downtime.
Collaborate closely with site supervisors and team members to meet project deadlines.
3. Key Tasks / Daily Activities
Review and interpret excavation blueprints and site plans each morning.
Perform pre-shift equipment checks and document any maintenance or repair needs.
Operate machinery throughout the workday to complete earthmoving tasks efficiently.
Communicate regularly with site supervisors to adjust to changing project requirements.
Record daily progress, equipment usage, and safety observations.
4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Equipment Uptime: Achieve a minimum of 95% machinery uptime per month.
Grade Compliance: Maintain at least a 98% adherence to specified grade requirements.
Safety Incidents: Record fewer than 2% safety incidents relative to total project hours.
Operator Efficiency: Document a minimum of 150 productive operating hours per month.
5. Required Qualifications and Skills
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Certification in heavy machinery operation preferred or willingness to obtain certification.
Minimum of 2 years of experience operating heavy equipment in excavation or construction.
Strong understanding of site plans, grades, and earthmoving procedures.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
6. Preferred Experience
At least 3 years of hands-on experience in excavation, earthmoving, or site operations.
Background in construction or home services industry.
Experience working with modern earthmoving machinery and technology.
Familiarity with on-site safety protocols and equipment maintenance best practices.
7. Physical Requirements
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs as required.
Prolonged periods of standing, walking, and operating machinery.
Comfortable working in outdoor conditions, including exposure to heat, cold, and noise.
Capability to operate machinery in environments with vibration and physical demands.
8. Work Environment and Schedule
Full-time position with typical hours from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Occasional overtime required based on project needs.
Predominantly on-site role with limited travel to remote job locations.
Occasional weekend work may be necessary to meet project deadlines.
9. Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $20 - $30 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
Performance-based bonus opportunities available.
Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
401k plan with company matching contributions.
Access to on-the-job training and career advancement opportunities.
10. Company Culture and Overview
Our company fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative environment where every team member’s contribution is valued.
We are committed to continuous improvement, investing in professional development and growth.
Safety, quality, and customer satisfaction are the core values that drive our daily operations.
We support a team-driven workplace where success is shared and individual achievements are celebrated.
11. How to Apply
If you meet the above criteria and want to be part of a growth-oriented company focused on customer satisfaction, please send your resume to [INSERT EMAIL HERE] or apply online at [INSERT WEBSITE LINK HERE].
Need help filling this role? HireBus posts the ad, Iris interviews every applicant by phone before you do, and you decide who to hire. Start hiring now
Running a machine for a site work company means digging where people will stand, near pipes nobody can see. The operator's care is what protects the crew in the trench.
Trench depth sets the rules
Once a trench reaches 5 feet, OSHA says every worker in it needs cave-in protection, such as a trench box, shoring or a sloped wall, unless the cut is entirely in stable rock. Even a shallower trench gets protection when a competent person finds signs the walls could fail. The operator digs to fit the box, sets it, and keeps everyone out of a cut until its protection is in place. Source: OSHA: Requirements for protective systems (29 CFR 1926.652).
Spoil goes back, ladders go in
Dirt coming out of a trench has to land at least 2 feet back from the edge, or be held by a retaining device, so it can't roll back in. Trenches 4 feet or deeper need a ladder, ramp or stairway so no worker travels more than 25 feet sideways to get out. Good operators place spoil and leave room for the ladder without being asked. Source: OSHA: Specific excavation requirements (29 CFR 1926.651).
811 first, then dig with care near the marks
Before any digging, someone files a locate request with the state 811 center, usually a few business days ahead. State law sets how long utilities get to respond, and the ticket shows when every one has answered. Once paint and flags are down, the operator digs beside each mark with care instead of straight through it. A new dig on the same lot needs a new request, since buried lines can shift. Source: Common Ground Alliance, 811: Before you dig.
Nobody under the bucket
Operators often lift pipe, structures and trench boxes with the excavator. OSHA's crane rule leaves out excavators and backhoes, even when they lift with chains or slings, so crane operator certification doesn't apply to that work. OSHA's excavation rule still bars anyone from standing under a load handled by digging equipment. Hire operators who know their machine's lift chart and keep the pipe crew clear. Source: OSHA: Cranes and derricks in construction, scope (29 CFR 1926.1400).
Backing up on a busy site
Dozers, loaders and compactors back up all day around laborers and other machines. OSHA lets earthmoving equipment with a blocked rear view reverse only with a backup alarm that can be heard over the noise, or with a worker signaling it's safe. The operator checks mirrors and cameras and stops the moment they lose sight of the spotter. Source: OSHA: Material handling equipment (29 CFR 1926.602).
How much heavy equipment operators make
The closest BLS group for heavy equipment operators is operating engineers and other construction equipment operators. Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators who work for other specialty trade contractors earned a median of $28.92 an hour ($60,160 a year) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s about the same as the $59,850 median for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in all industries. About 119,340 of the 478,090 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in that survey work for other specialty trade contractors.
Hourly with overtime. Set pay steps for each added machine and for finish grading, so operators can see how to move up.
Other specialty trade contractors
$60,160$60,160 median Middle half $48,940–$77,590 10th–90th $44,560–$101,330
All industries
$59,850$59,850 median Middle half $48,680–$77,170 10th–90th $42,190–$101,090
$30k$40k$50k$60k$70k$80k$90k$100k$110k
10th–90th percentileMiddle halfMedianAnnual pay, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Annual pay by percentile
Group
10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
Other specialty trade contractors
$44,560
$48,940
$60,160
$77,590
$101,330
All industries
$42,190
$48,680
$59,850
$77,170
$101,090
BLS doesn’t publish pay for excavation contractors on their own. These figures cover other specialty trade contractors, which include them. Post a real range for your market in the ad.
The pay line in the template above is an example from our Role Blueprint. Set yours from these figures and what local companies pay.
Skills to hire for, and what you can teach
Hire for these
Two or more years in the seat of an excavator, dozer or loader
Digs to grade from stakes or a laser without overdigging
Sets trench boxes and handles pipe smoothly
Does a real walkaround before each shift and writes up problems
Watches the people on the ground as closely as the bucket
Teach these on the job
GPS machine control screens and models
Your daily report and hour log
New attachments like thumbs, compaction wheels or tilt buckets
Your locate ticket process
Other machines in your fleet
Excavators, dozers, skid steers, compact track loaders and rollers are the core, often with GPS or laser grade control. Name the machines and brands the person will run most, and whether they will haul their own machine between sites, since that can take a CDL.
Heavy equipment operator interview questions
Two of the 7 questions we'd ask, and what a strong answer sounds like. Ask every candidate the same questions, and rate each answer on your own before you compare notes.
Situational · Digging near located utilities
The locate marks show a gas line crossing the trench you're about to dig. Walk me through how you get across it.
A strong answer: Confirms the marks match the ticket, stops machine digging inside the tolerance zone, has the line exposed by hand or vacuum, digs only once it can be seen, and stops if marks are missing or wrong.
Behavioral · Speaking up about safety
Tell me about a time you were told to dig, lift or swing a load in a way you thought was unsafe.
A strong answer: Stopped, explained the concern, offered a safer way, and went to the supervisor if needed.
There's no federal license to run an excavator or dozer. BLS notes that a few states have special licenses for backhoe, loader and bulldozer operators, and that many operators need a CDL to haul their machines. OSHA lets employers put only workers qualified by training or experience on equipment, so keep a record of what each operator has been trained on. The template's certification line usually means a school or dealer course.
How much does a heavy equipment operator make?
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators who work for other specialty trade contractors earned a median of $28.92 an hour ($60,160 a year) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $48,940 and $77,590 a year. Pay also depends on your local market, experience and overtime.
Can a new operator start without experience?
The template wants two years in the seat. Some companies hire laborers and move them up. BLS says many operators learn on light equipment under an experienced operator before moving to heavier machines, and others train through a three- or four-year apprenticeship. Start new people on backfill and loading trucks, not on trenching near live utilities.
What's the difference between an operator and a lead operator?
An operator runs one machine on the tasks the foreman sets. A lead gets the toughest cuts, such as a deep sewer line or a foundation hard against a neighbor, plans the machine work for the day and trains newer operators. Leads often help decide who goes in which machine.
What machines should a site work operator know?
Most site work runs on mid-size excavators, dozers, skid steers and compact track loaders, with rollers and bigger loaders on larger jobs. Hire for the machine you most need filled, then cross-train. An operator who can finish grade with a dozer is harder to find than one who can dig.
Do operators work in the rain?
In light rain, often. Heavy rain usually stops grading, because wet soil won't compact and machines rut the site. Many companies move crews to other tasks or call a short day. Say in the posting how you handle rain days, since operators weigh that when comparing offers.
