How to hire a heavy machinery operator

How to hire a heavy machinery operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step heavy machinery operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a heavy machinery operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new heavy machinery operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the heavy machinery operator you need to hire. Certain heavy machinery operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a heavy machinery operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a heavy machinery operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of heavy machinery operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Heavy Machinery Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Heavy Machinery Operator	Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.	$11-19
   Equipment Operator/Labour	Heavy equipment operators control and drive construction equipment. The operators operate heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, and lift... Show more	$12-20
   Engineering Equipment Operator	An engineering equipment operator runs heavy construction machinery. Engineering equipment operators drive and control any construction equipment... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Dump Truck
   • Backhoe
   • Load Trucks
   • Front End Loader
   • CDL
   • Bobcat
   • End Loaders
   • Inspect Machines
   • Assembly Line
   • Bulldozers
   • Steer Loader
   • Machine Operation
   • CNC
   • Caterpillar

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Used heavy machinery such as a bobcat, backhoe and forklift to move asphalt or material.
   • Operate CNC lathe along with several other pieces of machinery equipment.
   • Operate backhoe to excavate excess water/mud to build barriers to prevent a spill over onto roads and residential area.
   • Start engines, move throttle switch and levers, such as bulldozers, road graders and backhoes and relate machines.
   • Operate light machinery including bulldozers and maintainers
   • Reviewed/Approve area assessment reports and corrective action plans assuring compliance with applicable OSHA and EPA regulatory guidance.

   More heavy machinery operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the heavy machinery operator job description is a good way to get more applicants. A heavy machinery operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a heavy machinery operator in Tennessee may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level heavy machinery operator. Additionally, a heavy machinery operator with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average heavy machinery operator salary

   $15.07hourly

   $31,351 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level heavy machinery operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

   Average heavy machinery operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$38,724	$19
   2	Ohio	$37,806	$18
   3	Texas	$25,295	$12
   4	Arkansas	$24,723	$12
   5	Mississippi	$23,784	$11

   Average heavy machinery operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Dairy Farmers of America	$42,301	$20.34	58
   2	Adecco	$31,352	$15.07	116

4. Writing a heavy machinery operator job description

   A heavy machinery operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a heavy machinery operator job description:

   Heavy machinery operator job description example

   RES is looking for applicants with prior experience in the ecological restoration field. The job will consist of 100% field work ranging from invasive brush cutting, tree felling, planting, seeding, and maintenance of natural areas through equipment operations and herbicide application.
   
   Work is seasonally steady and often will require over 50 hours per week. Some weekend work required during peak periods. Significant travel may be required for some projects throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Travel with overnight stays of 2-6 night periods will be required for some job sites.
   What your day-to-day might look like?
   
   Execute invasive brush clearing, tree felling, planting, seeding, erosion and sediment controls Maintenance and mowing of natural areas through equipment operation and herbicide application Perform restoration activities, including identifying and protecting native species, identifying and controlling invasive species and site clearing Loading plant and project materials at nurseries and other suppliers Assist with projects related to: Stream restoration Stormwater Restoration planting Invasive plant removal/management Landscape construction Renewable facilities management Qualifications
   
   Required:
   High School degree or equivalent 2 or more years working in field operations or civil construction Ability to Travel up to 75% with overnight stays of 1-6 nights within the region. Valid driver's license required. Ability to think quickly and adapt required Team player- able to operate and adapt within a team Experience driving large pick-up trucks and hauling trailers Ability to study for and pass a test to become a licensed Pesticide Applicator within 1 year Preferred:
   Bachelor's Degree in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry, Horticulture, or a related field Experience working on natural resource or water resource infrastructure projects Prior experience performing native seed and plant installation, including erosion control measures Native plant ID, including winter woody plant identification Experience with repair and maintenance of small engines and equipment is a strong plus Class A commercial driver's license
   Physical Requirements:
   
   Willing and able to perform and comply with the following items:
   Strict adherence to safety protocols, including proper PPE requirements Ability to lift or carry up to 50 pounds Ability to work outside in harsh and under adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, snow, and exposure to insects including ticks and mosquitoes. Exposure to poisonous plants such as poison ivy. Ability to walk long distances Ability to undertake field work that includes, operating ATVs, tractors, skid steers, and trucks with trailers Ability to safely operate chainsaws and gas-powered brush cutters & augers
   VEVRAA Federal Contractor
   
   RES is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right heavy machinery operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with heavy machinery operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit heavy machinery operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your heavy machinery operator job on Zippia to find and recruit heavy machinery operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting heavy machinery operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new heavy machinery operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect heavy machinery operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new heavy machinery operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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