Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in South Dakota

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.

1-7 of 7 Jobs

Forklift Operator

  • Sturgis, SD
  • 2 days ago
  • Sturgis, SD
  • 2 days ago

Sturgis : Building 01A ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Not specified MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous standing for prolonged periods...

Loader Operator

  • Harrisburg, SD
  • 3 days ago
  • Harrisburg, SD
  • 3 days ago

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it’s our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the country, and we...

CDL Driver and Crane Operator

  • Buffalo, SD
  • 4 days ago
  • Buffalo, SD
  • 4 days ago

Ace in the Hole Construction in Buffalo, SD is hiring experienced CDL drivers and crane operators for oil field service work. We are a small business that values community and family involvement,...

Forklift Operator (11pm-7am)

  • Watertown, SD
  • 8 days ago
  • Watertown, SD
  • 8 days ago

JOB TITLE: Freight Handler DEPARTMENT: Operations JOB STATUS: Non-Exempt SHIFT: Monday-Friday (11pm-7am) PAY: $22.00/hr REPORTS TO: Service Center Manager JOB SUMMARY Are you seeking a warehouse...

Crane Operator

  • Rapid City, SD
  • 10 days ago
  • Rapid City, SD
  • 10 days ago

Crane Operator D&W Crane Rapid City, SD Full-time Construction / Physical Labor / Skilled Trades Posted on June 02, 2025 Crane Operator/Truck Driver Operate or learn to operate various types of...

Forklift Operator - Weekly Pay

  • Sioux Falls, SD
  • 24 days ago
  • Sioux Falls, SD
  • 24 days ago

Material Handler Job Description Join a dynamic team responsible for creating bottles for various beverages like liquor, water, Gatorade, and soda. As a Material Handler, you will play a crucial...

Heavy Forklift Operator

  • Sioux Falls, SD
  • 30+ days ago
  • Sioux Falls, SD
  • 30+ days ago

Job ID: 510700 Non-Exempt Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH company, is the leading provider of utility infrastructure solutions for the water, energy, and communications markets throughout North...

Demographic Data for South Dakota

Moving to South Dakota? Find some basic demographic data about South Dakota below.


Local
National
884,808
27,563

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...
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,...
Load Securement for Heavy Equipment (US) Course
The North American Cargo Securement Standard forms the basis for the cargo securement and distribution regulations in the United States and Canada. The regulations are designed to ensure cargo...

Salary for Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in South Dakota

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 South Dakota offer the following education background
High School or GED
36.6%
Bachelor's Degree
24.5%
Vocational Degree or Certification
16.4%
Associate's Degree
13.3%
Some High School
3.4%
Some College
2.9%
Master's Degree
2.6%
Doctorate Degree
0.3%

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