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What is a grader operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Grader operators work in construction and operate heavy machinery. They work on road and bridge constructions and other building sites. They are primarily responsible for carrying out work using grading machines, mixing and spreading materials on roadways and other surfaces. They work under the supervision of a site manager and operate other machinery upon instructions.

Trucks and power cranes might also be some of the machines you will use. Driving a bulldozer to clear land or press freshly covered surfaces might be a part of your duties as well. Learning how to efficiently communicate with signals and hand gestures amid excessive noise will be an important feature of the position.

You will have to be able to follow plan drawings and have a good grasp of the best practices of construction work. Attending vocational schools to learn the trade is always an option, but a GED or high school diploma is enough to get you hired for this position. You will have the chance to learn everything you need for top performance on the job.

ScoreGrader OperatorUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $46,011

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.9

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.89%

Asian 0.95%

Black or African American 8.20%

Hispanic or Latino 16.76%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.87%

Gender

female 20.12%

male 79.88%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Grader operator career paths

Key steps to become a grader operator

  1. Explore grader operator education requirements

    Most common grader operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    49.0 %

    Bachelor's

    16.7 %

    Associate

    15.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific grader operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Asphalt42.16%
    CDL13.53%
    OSHA12.43%
    General Maintenance8.24%
    DOT7.17%
  3. Complete relevant grader operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New grader operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a grader operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real grader operator resumes.
  4. Research grader operator duties and responsibilities

    • Experience with GPS, laser, and sonic.
    • Follow all power equipment rules and regulation including any regulatory agency policies to include OSHA.
    • Operate dozer to backfill trench and level pipeline.
    • Manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients using GMP format and aseptic techniques.
  5. Prepare your grader operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your grader operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a grader operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable grader operator resume templates

    Build a professional grader operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your grader operator resume.
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
    Grader Operator Resume
  6. Apply for grader operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a grader operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first grader operator job

Kenneth RichardKenneth Richard LinkedIn profile

Grader Operator, Wilson's Uganda Limited

For the record I am odur Kenneth Richard,28years old from kampala Uganda. It was right after completing my high school certificate in the year 2018 that I enrolled for bsc in marketing at one of the public universities in Uganda but I would later drop out due to lack of funding since I was under an uncle who told me he's financially constrained since I had three other cousin sister's who were attending university already.
So oneday as I was going about my chores at home I landed on a column in a local newspaper called the new vision paper and there was this Kenyan vocational school called lake naivasha institute that offering trainings for the machines, I contacted them and fortunately they had a small office within the city in Uganda and I was able to schedule an appointment immediately, when I told my uncle about the opportunity he was excited but later told me to get a training from within Uganda and as luck would have it he made a few calls to his friends and there I was in hoima district located on the shores of lake Albert. a
Armed with a backpack and my mattress folded up nicely , I boarded a bus to hoima which was a 6 hours journey and when I arrived, I found other students who had come from all parts of Uganda for the training.
We were taken to a bungalow which was supposed to act as our hostel, it was an empty house without any furniture nor a bed frame so we laid out mattresses on the cold floor and gave thanks to God for life and the new journey which was about to begin. Early the next morning we freshen up and headed to school which was called destiny technologies heavy load plant services located at hoima market. We were made to register our names and then availed PPE (personal protective equipment) reflector jacket, safety shoes and a hard hut and from there the safety training would begin followed by naming machine parts and then simulation without any equipment since they didn't have any.we were given an operator training book for the motor grader model GD663A-2.
The theory class lasted a week and was concluded by an assessment that I passed highly and on Saturday we set off for a trip to Kampala to come and process our learning permits to allow as train on the machines and by Sunday we rolled up our backpacks and jumped on a truck that took as to a remote center about 20kms away from hoima town and we were resettled into smaller groups in different bungalows, we numbered about 120,60 offered the motor grader and the remain

Average grader operator salary

The average grader operator salary in the United States is $46,011 per year or $22 per hour. Grader operator salaries range between $35,000 and $60,000 per year.

Average grader operator salary
$46,011 Yearly
$22.12 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do grader operators rate their job?

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Grader operator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Cons

Sitting idle with nothing to do


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

The power off the equipment the finish grade off the work and being safe


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Cons

Young bucks that come in with no it all temperaments without the experience. They can get you hurt in this line of work. Remember everything can kill you when dealing with heavy equipment


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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