Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Des Moines, WA

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 39 Jobs

Heavy Equipment/Aggregate Loader Operator

  • Vashon, WA (7 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 21 days ago
  • Vashon, WA (7 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 21 days ago

equipment operator Knowledge and experience in the operation and maintenance of crushers, wash plants, conveyors, material washers, and various other types of fixed and mobile equipment used in the...

Cold Dock Forklift Operator

  • Puyallup, WA (16 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 hours ago
  • Puyallup, WA (16 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 hours ago

American Workforce Group has partnered with a very safe warehouse in Puyallup, WA in search of a skilled forklift operator. This position will work on the cold side of the warehouse. Details for...

Warehouse Forklift Operator

  • Kent, WA (8 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 hours ago
  • Kent, WA (8 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 hours ago

Warehouse Forklift Operator (Kent) ER Flooring 6902 S 220th ST near S 220th ST compensation: Hourly based on experience employment type: experience level: mid level job title: Forklift Operator...

Forklift Operator - EWP

  • Tacoma, WA (14 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Tacoma, WA (14 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 1 day ago

Job Details Job Location WA Tacoma - Tacoma, WA Salary Range $20.00 - $22.00 Hourly Description Although we have over 75 years of success behind us, we still need innovative and dedicated...

Forklift Operator- Swing

  • Renton, WA (5 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 2 days ago
  • Renton, WA (5 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 2 days ago

Forklift Operator** **Pay: $23/Hour** **Location: Renton, WA** **Shift: 3PM-11:30pm** **Job Description** Join a dynamic team dedicated to providing custom corrugated sheets for sheet plants...

Warehouse Forklift Operator

  • Kent, WA (8 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago
  • Kent, WA (8 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago

Must be trained to drive forklift, will cut and load flooring. Inventory Tracking. Help maintain dumpsters.

Forklift Operator

  • Algona, WA (9 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago
  • Algona, WA (9 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and...

Yard Worker & Forklift Operator

  • Tacoma, WA (14 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago
  • Tacoma, WA (14 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago

Job Details Level : Entry Job Location : Parkland Branch - Tacoma, WA Position Type : Full Time Education Level : High School/ GED Salary Range : $19.00 - $21.00 Hourly Travel Percentage : None...

Forklift Operator - Stand up - Now Hiring

  • Woodinville, WA (24 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago
  • Woodinville, WA (24 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 3 days ago

Ready to land your next full-time position as a stand up forklift operator? Power your career growth by partnering with Randstad. We have tons of openings in your area, provided you meet the...

Forklift Operator III (Storage Center Worker)

  • Des Moines, WA
  • 4 days ago
  • Des Moines, WA
  • 4 days ago

$24 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Operate the forklift to load and unload containers from local delivery and inter-franchise drivers, new container inventory, repositioning and customer...

Clamp Forklift Operator

  • Lewis McChord, WA (14 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Lewis McChord, WA (14 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago

Clamp It Like a Pro - Your Next Warehouse Opportunity Starts Here! Are you ready to put your clamp forklift skills to work for a global logistics powerhouse that values hard work, precision, and...

Warehouse worker/Forklift Operator Union Job

  • Seattle, WA (11 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Seattle, WA (11 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago

Warehouse worker/Forklift Operator Union Job Atwork Personnel Services of Seattle - Seattle, WA Posted: 7/25/2025 - Expires: 10/23/2025 Job ID: 292122742 Job Description Our client is the largest...

Forklift Operator - Day Shift

  • Seattle, WA (11 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Seattle, WA (11 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago

Forklift Operator - Day Shift & Swing Shift Job Description Join a dynamic global logistics network that connects the world, where your contributions are valued and you can truly make a...

Clamp Forklift Operator

  • Lakewood, WA (17 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Lakewood, WA (17 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago

Clamp It Like a Pro - Your Next Warehouse Opportunity Starts Here! Are you ready to put your clamp forklift skills to work for a global logistics powerhouse that values hard work, precision, and...

Forklift Operator

  • Sumner, WA (17 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Sumner, WA (17 miles from Des Moines, WA)
  • 6 days ago

Job Overview: Forklift Operator - Sumner, WA Looking for a fresh start? A company help grow your skillset and advance your career? Apply Today! We are happy to speak with you about your experience...

Demographic Data for Des Moines, WA

Moving to Des Moines, WA? Find some basic demographic data about Des Moines, WA below.


Local
National
7,705,271
197,951

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 Moines, WA

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 Moines, WA 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 Des Moines, WA
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