Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Illinois

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 168 Jobs

Forklift Operator

  • Plainfield, IL
  • 1 hour ago
  • Plainfield, IL
  • 1 hour ago

Ryder is immediately hiring a Permanent Full Time Forklift operator in Plainfield, IL Warehouse Positions Pay Weekly Hourly Pay $20.50 per hour Overtime Pay $30.75 per hour Schedule: First Shift;...

Forklift Operator - Production

  • Carol Stream, IL
  • 7 hours ago
  • Carol Stream, IL
  • 7 hours ago

Forklift Operator - Production FIC America Corp. Carol Stream, Illinois, United States, 60188 2 days ago Quick Job type Full-time Quick Job description FIC America Corp. is a global Tier 1...

EPJ/Forklift Operator job - Carol Stream IL

  • Carol Stream, IL
  • 1 day ago
  • Carol Stream, IL
  • 1 day ago

EPJ/Forklift Operator job - Carol Stream IL [Carol Stream, IL, 60188] | 2025-07-02 11:33:17 Job Description Description: IN PERSON INTERVIEWS ARE REQUIRED Shift: Sunday thru Thursday 8pm to 4:30am...

Loader Operator

  • Mundelein, IL
  • 1 day ago
  • Mundelein, IL
  • 1 day ago

Masonry, MoistureShield(R) composite decking, RDI(R) railing, Catalyst Fence Solutions, Sakrete(R) packaged concrete, Amerimix(R) mortar, Pebble Technology International(R) pool finishes, Lawn & Garden mulches...

Loader Operator

  • Montgomery, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Montgomery, IL
  • 2 days ago

Join the Green Automotive Revolution at Fenix Parts About Fenix Parts: Fenix Parts isn't just a company; it's an essential part of the automotive recycling industry. As a leading force in the...

Forklift Operator - Stand up - Now Hiring

  • Aurora, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Aurora, IL
  • 2 days ago

Ready to explore new job opportunities as a stand up forklift operator? Do you have a strong safety record? A can-do mentality? A history of near-flawless attendance? If all these ring true, there...

Forklift Operator - Sit Down - Now Hiring

  • Arlington Heights, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Arlington Heights, IL
  • 2 days ago

Ready to explore new job opportunities as a sit down forklift operator? Do you have a strong safety record? A can-do mentality? A history of near-flawless attendance? If all these ring true, there...

Forklift Operator

  • Vernon Hills, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Vernon Hills, IL
  • 2 days ago

Client in Vernon Hills is looking for Reach Truck/ Cherry Picker forklift Drivers Current Openings ( pay is based off Experience) Forklift Operator Shift: 1st shift | 5 AM - 1:30pm | MonFri |...

2nd Shift Stand-Up Forklift Operator

  • Joliet, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Joliet, IL
  • 3 days ago

2nd Shift Stand-Up Forklift Operator Description Our team in Joliet, IL is immediately hiring 2nd Shift Forklift Operators! Shift hours are Monday - Friday 2:30 PM - 11 PM. This role is an...

Forklift Operator

  • Melrose Park, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Melrose Park, IL
  • 3 days ago

Pay Ranges: $26.73 - $27.23 per hour ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION Sun Chemical, a member of the DIC Group, is a leading producer of packaging and graphic solutions, color and display technologies,...

Forklift Operator 2nd Shift

  • Henning, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Henning, IL
  • 3 days ago

Shift: 5:00 PM-5:15 AM Hourly Rate: $20.24 an hour Do you have a taste for something big? If you're looking for the opportunity to reach your potential, consider Conagra Brands as your next career...

Mid shift - Forklift Operator, Non Formula

  • Pana, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Pana, IL
  • 3 days ago

Apply Job ID: 121563BR Type: Other Salary: $20.00 Primary Location: Pana, Illinois Date Posted: 07/03/2025 Job Details: Company Description Start-to-finish manufacturing, packing, and distribution...

FORKLIFT OPERATOR - Corrugated Industry

  • Chicago, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 3 days ago

Forklift Operator Location: Hood Container – Chicago Box Plant Pay: Starting at $19.45/hour + shift differential Shift: 3rd shift (11:00 p.m. to 07:00 a.m.) Employment Type: Full-time | Hourly |...

Forklift Operator 1st and 2nd shift weekdays

  • Joliet, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Joliet, IL
  • 3 days ago

DHL Supply Chain is Hiring! At DHL, you will play a part in one of the worlds most essential industries. There has never been a better time to join DHL Supply Chain. In a global business like...

Forklift Operator - Part-Time - Afternoon Shift

  • Riverton, IL
  • 4 days ago
  • Riverton, IL
  • 4 days ago

What youll need to succeed as a Forklift Operator at XPO Minimum qualifications: Be at least 18 years of age Able to do basic math calculations, with and without a calculator Available to work a...

Demographic Data for Illinois

Moving to Illinois? Find some basic demographic data about Illinois below.


Local
National
12,812,477
319,486

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 Illinois

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 Illinois offer the following education background
High School or GED
36.7%
Bachelor's Degree
24.2%
Vocational Degree or Certification
16.3%
Associate's Degree
13.3%
Some High School
3.3%
Some College
3.1%
Master's Degree
2.6%
Doctorate Degree
0.5%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Heavy Equipment Operators in Illinois
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