Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Des Plaines, IL

A Heavy Equipment Operator in the landscaping industry operates large machinery used in the construction and maintenance of landscapes. Their duties may include grading terrain, hauling materials, digging holes for planting, and other tasks where heavy machinery is needed. The operator is responsible for the safe and efficient use of equipment, typically including bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and backhoes. They also perform routine inspections and maintenance on the machinery, ensuring it is in good working condition.

Important skills for a Heavy Equipment Operator include mechanical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in diverse weather conditions. A high school diploma is usually required, along with a commercial driver's license (CDL) and a certification in heavy equipment operations. This certification can be obtained through trade schools or community colleges. Before becoming a Heavy Equipment Operator, a person may have roles such as a Laborer or a Landscape Worker, which provide relevant experiences like operating smaller machinery, understanding of landscape designs and plans, and familiarity with the industry's safety requirements.

1-15 of 57 Jobs

1st Shift Forklift Operator

  • Buffalo Grove, IL (8 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago
  • Buffalo Grove, IL (8 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago

Forklift Operator** **Shift & Pay** **1st Shift - 9.30am - 6.30pm - 18/HR** **Job Description** We are seeking a dedicated Forklift Operator responsible for efficiently managing warehouse tasks...

Stand-Up Forklift Operator-Cooper Lighting Solutions

  • Elk Grove Village, IL (6 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago
  • Elk Grove Village, IL (6 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago

Stand-Up Forklift Operator-Cooper Lighting Solutions Job Description About Signify Through bold discovery and cutting-edge innovation, we lead an industry that is vital for the future of our...

Material Handler / Forklift Operator - Carol Strea

  • Carol Stream, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago
  • Carol Stream, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago

at NTN Bearing of America in Carol Stream, Illinois, United States Job Description Work Location 795 Kimberly Dr, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, United States Pay Type Hourly Job Description...

Forklift Operator

  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 2 days ago

Take your career to the next level with an exciting opportunity at Staffmark! We're on the lookout for a dedicated and hardworking individual to join a top logistics team as a Forklift Operator in...

8:30am to 5:00pm M-F - Plywood Order Picker and Forklift Operator (Warehouse Associate)

  • Bensenville, IL (7 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 2 days ago
  • Bensenville, IL (7 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 2 days ago

Würth Baer Supply Company is one of the nation's leading specialty wholesale distributors to the woodworking industry, offering an extensive inventory of decorative and functional hardware, tools,...

Forklift Operator - Sit Down - Now Hiring

  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 3 days ago

Ready to earn more and receive better benefits in a new sit down forklift operator role? If you're a detail-oriented stand-up clamp forklift operator with an impeccable safety record, excellent...

Yard Tractor Operator- Bluffton Plant

  • Deerfield, IL (8 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 4 days ago
  • Deerfield, IL (8 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 4 days ago

at The Hershey Company in Deerfield, Illinois, United States Job Description Yard Tractor Operator- Bluffton Plant Posted Date: Jul 23, 2025 Requisition Number: 125973 Location: Bluffton, IN We...

Sit Down Forklift Operator

  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 4 days ago
  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 4 days ago

at Staffmark Investment LLC in Des Plaines, Illinois, United States Job Description Take your career to the next level with an exciting opportunity at Staffmark! We're on the lookout for a...

Forklift Operator

  • Hoffman Est, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 5 days ago
  • Hoffman Est, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 5 days ago

Forklift Operator Job Description Join a dynamic team at a state-of-the-art, brand-new greenfield facility in the corrugated packaging industry. We are seeking a highly motivated Forklift Operator...

Forklift Operator

  • Elk Grove Village, IL (6 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago
  • Elk Grove Village, IL (6 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago

at Swipejobs in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, United States Job Description Unload materials and merchandise from incoming vehicles and load them onto assigned locations. Locate and move products...

Forklift Operator

  • Carol Stream, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago
  • Carol Stream, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago

Our Carol Stream Warehouse is growing and we are in need of Forklift Cherry Picker Operators for 1st Shift! Small clean warehouse, with a great team in place! Schedule: Monday through Friday...

Sit Down Forklift Operator

  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 6 days ago
  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 6 days ago

Take your career to the next level with an exciting opportunity at Staffmark! We're on the lookout for a dedicated and hardworking individual to join a top logistics team as a Sit-Down Forklift...

FORKLIFT OPERATOR- 2nd SHIFT

  • La Grange, IL (19 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago
  • La Grange, IL (19 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago

Transportation company in Hodgkins, IL is looking to hire forklift operator - 2nd shift. Primary role is to operate a sit-down propane forklift for the purposes of loading/unloading various types...

5pm - 10pm: Part-time Dock Worker / Forklift Operator

  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 6 days ago
  • Des Plaines, IL
  • 6 days ago

Overview ** This is a Part Time Position ** Flexible schedules available Available Shift Time: Tuesday - Saturday | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Stable and growing organization Pay beginning at $23.35 per...

Forklift Operator

  • Buffalo Grove, IL (8 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago
  • Buffalo Grove, IL (8 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago

A client of Volt Solutions is immediately hiring for a Forklift Operator Job Title: Forklift OperatorPosition type: Full Time/ContractLocation : Buffalo Grove, ILDuration: 12 months As a Forklift...

Demographic Data for Des Plaines, IL

Moving to Des Plaines, IL? Find some basic demographic data about Des Plaines, IL below.


Local
National
91,939
3,014
Medium/Lg

Heavy Equipment Operator Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireLandscaping curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Heavy Equipment Operator Certification
Heavy Equipment Operator Course: Excavator & Skid Steer CertificationOur comprehensive Heavy Equipment Operator Course offers online training and expert instruction on two essential pieces of...
Construction: Heavy Equipment Awareness
Working with or around heavy equipment is unavoidable on most construction sites. That's why it's important that you have an awareness of what's happening around you at all times, so you can react...
Heavy Metal 101
This is not a metallurgy class! Learn everything you ever wanted to know about heavy metal music. Topics of this video lecture series include musicology, history, metal culture, music theory,...

Salary for Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Des Plaines, IL

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireLandscaping research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Heavy Equipment Operator positions.



Highest Education Level

Heavy Equipment Operators in Des Plaines, IL offer the following education background
High School or GED
36.8%
Bachelor's Degree
24.2%
Vocational Degree or Certification
16.2%
Associate's Degree
13.0%
Some College
3.5%
Some High School
3.2%
Master's Degree
2.5%
Doctorate Degree
0.5%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Heavy Equipment Operators in Des Plaines, IL
2-4 years
36.6%
Less than 1 year
26.8%
1-2 years
19.9%
4-6 years
16.3%
None
0.4%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills