Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Illinois

A Heavy Equipment Operator in the construction industry operates large machinery, such as bulldozers, excavators, and cranes, which are utilized for construction projects. Their key responsibilities include maneuvering heavy equipment safely and efficiently, performing basic maintenance checks, and ensuring the machinery is in good working order. They are essential to the construction process as they clear and grade land, excavate earth, lift heavy materials, and perform other tasks that require specialized equipment. They also should have a thorough understanding of safety protocols and procedures to prevent accidents on the job site.

Potential Heavy Equipment Operators should possess excellent hand-eye coordination, physical stamina, technical skills, and mechanical knowledge. They should also understand how to read blueprints and topographic maps. It's crucial for them to have certification from a recognized heavy equipment operator training school, and some states may require a commercial driver's license (CDL). Before becoming a Heavy Equipment Operator, a person may have roles such as a Construction Laborer, Forklift Operator, or Truck Driver. These positions can provide valuable experience in the construction industry, and help individuals gain familiarity with different types of machinery.

1-15 of 99 Jobs

Intermodal Equipment Operator

  • Elwood, IL
  • 90+ days ago
  • Elwood, IL
  • 90+ days ago

Launch Your Career with ConGlobal ConGlobal is hiring immediately for a key role in our global supply chain operations. Whether youre looking to grow your career or gain new skills, this role...

Machine Equipment Operator III - 2nd Shift

  • Litchfield, IL
  • 3 hours ago
  • Litchfield, IL
  • 3 hours ago

Job Description: Company Description Alpine, an ITW company, is a leading provider of building component software, equipment, and the industry's best service to component manufacturers. Partnering...

Machine Equipment Operator II - 2nd Shift

  • Litchfield, IL
  • 3 hours ago
  • Litchfield, IL
  • 3 hours ago

Job Description: Company Description Alpine, an ITW company, is a leading provider of building component software, equipment, and the industry's best service to component manufacturers. Partnering...

Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Downers Grove, IL
  • 5 hours ago
  • Downers Grove, IL
  • 5 hours ago

If you are a Heavy Equipment Operator and want to work alongside other proven Craftsmen who emphasize safety, productivity and superior workmanship, this is your chance to advance your career!...

Loader operator

  • La Grange, IL
  • 17 hours ago
  • La Grange, IL
  • 17 hours ago

Line of Business: Other About Us Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest suppliers of building materials. Heidelberg Materials North America operates over 450 locations across the U.S....

1st Shift Freezer Forklift Operator

  • Bolingbrook, IL
  • 1 day ago
  • Bolingbrook, IL
  • 1 day ago

We Deliver the Goods: Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much...

Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Sycamore, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Sycamore, IL
  • 2 days ago

Build Your Career. Build America's Future. Vulcan Materials Company is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials...

Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Danville, IL
  • 2 days ago
  • Danville, IL
  • 2 days ago

Heavy Equipment Operator Danville, Illinois - Posted on August 12, 2025 Published By Gayle Grider Now hiring for Heavy Equipment Operators in Danville, IL!...

QC Forklift Operator 2nd

  • Crest Hill, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Crest Hill, IL
  • 3 days ago

Schedule/Shift: 2nd Shift, Monday - Friday / 4:00 PM - 12:30 AM ($20/hr) RJW Logistics Group is HIRING! OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE. THATS WHY THEY COME FIRST. RJW is dedicated to hiring and...

Equipment Operator

  • IL
  • 3 days ago
  • IL
  • 3 days ago

Summary of the Position The Equipment Operator must have the ability to safely and efficiently operate a variety of heavy equipment utilized in the construction of Landfill caps, road construction, excavation...

Agricultural Equipment Operator

  • Clifton, IL
  • 3 days ago
  • Clifton, IL
  • 3 days ago

Utilize excavation equipment to close lagoons. Clean/sanitize equipment. Work in fertilizer storage and mixing area. ** SEE ETA 790 FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION ** Help for Employer Information....

2Nd Shift Forklift Operator

  • Lake Zurich, IL
  • 5 days ago
  • Lake Zurich, IL
  • 5 days ago

About us Smalley is the global manufacturing leader of precision metal formed products - known for our Spirolox retaining rings and Crest-to- Crest wave springs. Our success is propelled by our...

QC Forklift Operator B2

  • Romeoville, IL
  • 5 days ago
  • Romeoville, IL
  • 5 days ago

Schedule/Shift: B2 Shift, Mon/Tues/Fri/Sat 5AM-3:30PM ($19/hr) RJW Logistics Group is HIRING! OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE. THATS WHY THEY COME FIRST. RJW is dedicated to hiring and developing talent...

QC Forklift Operator B

  • Romeoville, IL
  • 5 days ago
  • Romeoville, IL
  • 5 days ago

Schedule/Shift: B Shift, Wednesday - Saturday / 5:00 AM - 3:30 PM ($19/hr) RJW Logistics Group is HIRING! OUR PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE. THATS WHY THEY COME FIRST. RJW is dedicated to hiring and...

Equipment Operator

  • Naperville, IL
  • 5 days ago
  • Naperville, IL
  • 5 days ago

The City of Naperville is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to fill the Equipment Operator positions in our Department of Public Works. This position performs a variety of skilled and...

Demographic Data for Illinois

Moving to Illinois? Find some basic demographic data about Illinois below.


Local
National
12,812,477
319,486

Heavy Equipment Operator Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireConstruction 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,...

Title Synonyms

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Salary for Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Illinois

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireConstruction research efforts.


Highest Education Level

Heavy Equipment Operators in Illinois offer the following education background
High School or GED
48.4%
Vocational Degree or Certification
23.4%
Associate's Degree
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree
10.3%
Some College
2.9%
Master's Degree
2.1%
Some High School
1.8%
Doctorate Degree
0.4%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Heavy Equipment Operators in Illinois
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



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