Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Washington

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 84 Jobs

Asphalty Plant Loader Operator

  • Pacific, WA
  • 1 hour ago
  • Pacific, WA
  • 1 hour ago

Demonstrates ability to work and communicate well with Supervisors, Service Technicians, Truck Drivers, Heavy Equipment Operators, and other employees....

Forklift Operator - Sit Down - Now Hiring

  • Renton, WA
  • 1 hour ago
  • Renton, WA
  • 1 hour 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...

Forklift Operator

  • Fife, WA
  • 1 day ago
  • Fife, WA
  • 1 day ago

Warehouse Worker** **Job Description** Join our team as a Warehouse Worker, where you will play a key role in receiving and putting away freight and stock, picking and building pallets for orders,...

Production Forklift Operator

  • Tumwater, WA
  • 2 days ago
  • Tumwater, WA
  • 2 days ago

Production Forklift Operator Amcor Rigid Plastics - Tumwater, WA Posted: 7/4/2025 - Expires: 10/2/2025 Job ID: 291399474 Apply Now I have already applied Save Job Print Email Share Job Description...

Forklift Operator

  • Sumner, WA
  • 2 days ago
  • Sumner, WA
  • 2 days ago

Job Title: Forklift Operator Department: Operations Reports To: Distribution Manager Position Type: Full Time Schedule: 1st Shift, Monday - Friday (6am - 2:30pm) Hourly Rate: $19-21/hr Purpose of...

Seasonal Cold Storage Forklift Operator

  • Chehalis, WA
  • 3 days ago
  • Chehalis, WA
  • 3 days ago

Seasonal Cold Storage Forklift Operator** **Job Definition:** Drives gas/electric powered industrial truck equipment with lifting devices such as forklift and clamps to lift stack, tier or move...

Remote Tractor Operator

  • Pasco, WA
  • 3 days ago
  • Pasco, WA
  • 3 days ago

As an Autonomous Tractor Operator at Carbon Robotics you'll be the first to bring the latest Agriculture Technology(Ag Tech) to market. We're revolutionizing the way that farms can best utilize...

Forklift Operator - Large Item

  • Tacoma, WA
  • 3 days ago
  • Tacoma, WA
  • 3 days ago

Forklift Driver - Large Item Apply today, work tomorrow, get paid weekly! Are you looking for a company that is hiring immediately? We're now hiring immediately for our forklift Driver job in...

Forklift Operator

  • Tacoma, WA
  • 4 days ago
  • Tacoma, WA
  • 4 days ago

Overview The Forklift Operator is responsible for operating material handling equipment for the purpose of moving, locating, relocating, stacking and counting merchandise. The Operator is...

Forklift Operator

  • Sumner, WA
  • 4 days ago
  • Sumner, WA
  • 4 days ago

Temporary Forklift Driver (Sit-Down) Location: Sumner, WA Pay: $18.00/hr Type: Temporary, with potential for permanent placement Shifts: Day Shift: Mon--Fri, 8:00 AM (Mandatory Overtime Night...

Fresh Cherry Line - Forklift Operator

  • Prosser, WA
  • 4 days ago
  • Prosser, WA
  • 4 days ago

Seasonal fresh cherry processing. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Operating forklift in tight, limited spaces. 2. Working outdoors at varying temperatures. 3. Checking product quality and using both...

Forklift Operator - Selah Plant

  • Selah, WA
  • 5 days ago
  • Selah, WA
  • 5 days ago

Anticipated wage: $19.37 - $24.36 depending on qualifications SUMMARY: Responsible for the loading and unloading of material and/or finished goods, stacking full and empty bins and drums,...

Forklift Operator

  • Spokane, WA
  • 6 days ago
  • Spokane, WA
  • 6 days ago

Job Details Job Location : Spokane Plant - Spokane, WA Position Type : Full Time Salary Range : $20.00 - $20.00 Hourly Description About Us At Mutual Materials, we've been Building Beauty That...

Material Handler / Forklift Operator

  • Kelso, WA
  • 6 days ago
  • Kelso, WA
  • 6 days ago

OPTI STAFFING IS HIRING! Position: Material Handler Location: Kelso, Washington Job Type: Full-time Pay: $20$25 an hour DOE Job Description: Our company, a leading industrial manufacturing...

Forklift Operator

  • Wapato, WA
  • 6 days ago
  • Wapato, WA
  • 6 days ago

We are seeking a skilled Forklift Operator to join our dynamic team in a fast-paced distribution center. The ideal candidate will be responsible for safely operating forklifts and other heavy...

Demographic Data for Washington

Moving to Washington? Find some basic demographic data about Washington 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 Washington

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 Washington 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 Washington
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