Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Merrillville, IN

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 17 Jobs

Forklift Operator

  • Hammond, IN (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 4 days ago
  • Hammond, IN (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 4 days ago

Forklift Operator $16/hour Our client in Hammond, IN is looking for hardworking, motivated talent to join their team. Dont wait apply today! What's in it for you? $16/hour 10am-6:30pm Paid...

Forklift Operator - Night Shift

  • Chicago Heights, IL (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 4 days ago
  • Chicago Heights, IL (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 4 days ago

Forklift Operator - Night Shift - Full Time XPO - Chicago Heights, IL Apply Now Posted on 07/27/25 (Ref: ILUNG32FCC-381499-en_US) What you'll need to succeed as a Forklift Operator at XPO Minimum...

Forklift Operator - 2nd Shift

  • University Park, IL (20 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 8 days ago
  • University Park, IL (20 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 8 days ago

Candidates must complete an application at: Lift Your Career to New Heights with CJ Logistics! Are you ready to take the wheel of your future and join a team that values safety, precision, and...

Forklift Operator - Weekend Shift (Saturday - Tuesday)

  • University Park, IL (20 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 8 days ago
  • University Park, IL (20 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 8 days ago

Candidates must complete an application at: Lift Your Career to New Heights with CJ Logistics! Are you ready to take the wheel of your future and join a team that values safety, precision, and...

Forklift Operator - Weekend Shift (Thurs-Sun)

  • University Park, IL (20 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 8 days ago
  • University Park, IL (20 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 8 days ago

Candidates must complete an application at: Lift Your Career to New Heights with CJ Logistics! Are you ready to take the wheel of your future and join a team that values safety, precision, and...

Forklift Operator- 2nd shift

  • Portage, IN (10 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 9 days ago
  • Portage, IN (10 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 9 days ago

Forklift Operator- $19.35/hour Our client in Portage, IN is looking for hardworking, motivated talent to join their team. Dont wait apply today! What's in it for you? $19.35/hour 2nd shift Paid...

2nd Shift Crane Operator

  • Hammond, IN (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 10 days ago
  • Hammond, IN (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 10 days ago

Join a winning team! Castle Metals is seeking a full-time Crane Operator, Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. This is a 2nd Shift Opportunity. Our Hammond, Indiana, facility specializes in heat...

Excavator Operator

  • Valparaiso, IN (16 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 14 days ago
  • Valparaiso, IN (16 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 14 days ago

Excavator Operator (Valparaiso) West Penn Utilities compensation: $25 to $30 dollars an hour employment type: experience level: mid level job title: Mini Excavator Operator West Penn Utilities is...

2nd Shift - Sit-down Forklift Operator

  • Country Club Hills, IL (21 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 17 days ago
  • Country Club Hills, IL (21 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 17 days ago

Lift Your Career to New Heights with CJ Logistics! Are you ready to take the wheel of your future and join a team that values safety, precision, and performance? Were on the lookout for skilled...

Forklift Operator

  • Portage, IN (10 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 23 days ago
  • Portage, IN (10 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 23 days ago

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

Crane Operator - 3rd Shift - $24.91/hour plus $1.00/hour shift differential

  • Harvey, IL (19 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Harvey, IL (19 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 30+ days ago

Crane Operator - 3rd Shift Who we are looking for: We are currently searching for an experienced Crane Operator to be based out of Harvey, IL, located approximately 30 miles south of Downtown...

Shipper (Forklift Operator)

  • Sauk Village, IL (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Sauk Village, IL (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 30+ days ago

Winpak Portion Packaging is seeking a Shipper to join their Warehouse Dept based out of their Sauk Village location on days. In this role you will demonstrate various material handling...

Part-Time Dock Worker / Forklift Operator

  • Lowell, IN (16 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Lowell, IN (16 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 30+ days ago

Overview ** This is a Part Time Position ** Flexible Schedule Available Shift Times: AM & PM Shifts Available Stable and growing organization Pay beginning at $23.35 per hour Quick advancement...

Warehouse Specialist/Forklift Operator

  • Hammond, IN (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Hammond, IN (14 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 45+ days ago

Hourly Wage: $23.45 - $26.95 per/hour *The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly...

Forklift Operator - 3rd Shift $20.65/hour

  • East Chicago, IN (13 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 45+ days ago
  • East Chicago, IN (13 miles from Merrillville, IN)
  • 45+ days ago

Apply now " Job Req ID: 4705 Date: Jun 16, 2025 Tradebe Site: Tradebe East Chicago Location: East Chicago, IN, US, 46312 Department: Operations Business Line: Environmental Services & Global...

Demographic Data for Merrillville, IN

Moving to Merrillville, IN? Find some basic demographic data about Merrillville, IN below.


Local
National
39,471
1,597
Medium

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 Merrillville, IN

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 Merrillville, IN offer the following education background
High School or GED
36.7%
Bachelor's Degree
24.2%
Vocational Degree or Certification
16.5%
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 Merrillville, IN
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