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How to hire a road grader operator

Road grader operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring road grader operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a road grader operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new road grader operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a road grader operator, step by step

To hire a road grader operator, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a road grader operator, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step road grader 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 road grader operator job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new road grader operator
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your road grader operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a road grader operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a road grader 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 road grader operator that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of road grader operators.

    Type of Road Grader OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Road Grader OperatorConstruction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, bridges, buildings, and other structures.$16-26
    Engineering Equipment OperatorAn engineering equipment operator runs heavy construction machinery. Engineering equipment operators drive and control any construction equipment... Show more$14-28
    Equipment Operator/LabourHeavy equipment operators control and drive construction equipment. The operators operate heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, and lift... Show more$12-20
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • DOT Regulations
    • Road Construction
    • Trip Inspections
    Responsibilities:
    • Follow all power equipment rules and regulation including any regulatory agency policies to include OSHA.
    • Prepare, grade assignments and code solutions for multithreading, mutual exclusion, memory management, etc.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your road grader operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A road grader operator can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, road grader operators' average salary in north carolina is 59% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level road grader operators 38% less than senior-level road grader operators.
    • Certifications. A road grader operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a road grader operator's salary.

    Average road grader operator salary

    $44,968yearly

    $21.62 hourly rate

    Entry-level road grader operator salary
    $35,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025
  4. Writing a road grader operator job description

    A good road grader operator job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a road grader operator job description:

    Road grader operator job description example


    This position is eligible for an incredible sign-on bonus of $1000 paid at hire and $1000 paid after 13 weeks of work!


    Are you looking for an exciting career in road, highway, and bridge construction? Payne & Dolan, Inc. of the Walbec Group has a place for hard working, loyal, and driven people like you. Come use your experience as a Road Grader Operator and enjoy a family-focused, progressive culture. Our approach is driven by an involved focus on Safety and efficiency that has made us an industry leading company in heavy and highway construction


    The Company:

    The Walbec Group of companies is currently in its third generation of family leadership producing high-quality construction materials and delivering unparalleled professional design, engineering, and construction services.

    • Recently named a Milwaukee Business Journal 2021 Best Place to Work.
    • Associated with many exciting state, municipal, federal, and commercial projects. Check out our website for a complete list of interesting projects. walbecgroup.com
    • Proud Partner of the Green Bay Packers.

    The Position:

    We're looking for a Road Grader Operator to work in our Grading department. Under the direction of the Foreman, the Operator will be responsible for operating several types of related grading construction equipment in a safe and efficient manner.


    Role and Responsibilities:

    • Use machinery to move construction materials, earth and other heavy materials at construction sites
    • Operate equipment that clears and grades land to prepare it for construction of roads. Work with one or several types of power construction equipment in a safe and effective manner to minimize the risk of injury and property damage
    • Able to read and understand grade stakes, automated machine control cab displays, etc.
    • Depending on assignment, able to make rough grade, finish grade as needed.
    • Depending on assignment, able to safely maneuver machinery in tight quarters, around people, traffic and utilities
    • Clean, maintain and secure all equipment
    • Ensure that proper safety and incident reporting procedures are followed
    • Assist with repairs as needed

    The Benefits:

    • Our union employees enjoy the quality benefits provided through our partnership with Operator's Local 139. Additionally, union employees have access to a variety of training on our Walbec employee website portal for personal and professional development.

    The Location:

    • The location is primarily around Madison. WI but projects will vary by location throughout the local area or the state, so reliable transportation and/or a willingness to travel to any job site is required as needed.

    The Candidate:

    • Valid Driver's License and satisfactory driving record
    • 3+ years of Grading Experience necessary
    • A CDL is desired but not necessary
    • High School diploma or GED equivalent is preferred
    • Must be punctual and dependable
    • Have the ability to work varied hours including nights, early mornings, and weekends as needed
    • Be able to tolerate and work in variable weather conditions, and work in dirty and dusty environments
    • Member of the appropriate trade union or willingness to become a union member are required. Union membership may not be required prior to employment. Our Human Resources Department is able to assist in that process as needed

    Why Should You Apply?

    • Excellent wages and benefits packages
    • Job security in our role as an essential company providing infrastructure services
    • Growth opportunities working alongside and learning from experienced industry professionals
    • Be involved in innovative, cool projects throughout the local area and the state
    • Family-oriented, supportive culture

    We are committed to a diverse and inclusive culture here at the Walbec Group. Our leadership understands the unique abilities and differences of our team members is what drives our innovation and growth. When you choose Walbec, you'll be welcomed into a supportive environment where all team members feel heard, respected, and valued.

    We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action employer and it is our practice to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants. In addition, it is the policy of the Company to comply with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in each locality in which the Company has employees. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply!


    C-HHC



    Job Posted by ApplicantPro
  5. Post your job

    To find the right road grader 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 road grader operators they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit road grader 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 road grader operator job on Zippia to find and attract quality road grader operator candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit road grader operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 road grader operator

    Once you have selected a candidate for the road grader operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new road grader operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a road grader operator?

Hiring a road grader operator comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting road grader operators involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of road grader operator recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $44,968 per year for a road grader operator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for road grader operators in the US typically range between $16 and $26 an hour.

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