Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Durham, NC

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 38 Jobs

097127-Yard Loader Operator

  • Wake Forest, NC (19 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 3 days ago
  • Wake Forest, NC (19 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 3 days ago

Line of Business: Aggregates 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...

Crane Operator

  • Mebane, NC (22 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 22 hours ago
  • Mebane, NC (22 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 22 hours ago

Since 1947, Crowder has built a legacy of success in the construction industry. We work throughout the Southeast on heavy construction infrastructure projects ranging from bridges, dams, water and...

Looking for excavator operator with experience

  • Cary, NC (17 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 1 day ago
  • Cary, NC (17 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 1 day ago

Looking for Excavator operator with experience for underground construction in Raleigh, NC Digging Restoration Setting vaults Mechanically inclined Installing conduit and fiber optic cable. Must...

Excavator / Heavy Equipment Operator Portable Crushing Plant

  • Raleigh, NC (21 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 1 day ago
  • Raleigh, NC (21 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 1 day ago

Position Description: Excavator Operator for Portable Aggregate Crushing Plant Job Title: Excavator Operator Location: I-40 project Raleigh, NC & Various sites (travel required) Job Type:...

Solid Waste Equipment Operator II

  • Chapel Hill, NC (8 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 3 days ago
  • Chapel Hill, NC (8 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 3 days ago

The purpose of this position is to operate a refuse truck to collect trash, yard waste, bulky items, deceased animals, and other special wastes along residential collection routes. This position...

Equipment Operator

  • Durham, NC
  • 3 days ago
  • Durham, NC
  • 3 days ago

Work, Serve, Thrive. With the City of Durham Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. The innovative, highly qualified, service-oriented individuals...

Derrick Digger Operator

  • Cary, NC (17 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 8 days ago
  • Cary, NC (17 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 8 days ago

Derrick Digger Operator Brand: Traffic Control Devices, LLC Location: Cary, NC, United States Date Posted: Apr 8, 2025 Requisition Number: 1331 Description Derrick Digger Operator We are seeking a...

Loader Operator

  • Graham, NC (24 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 8 days ago
  • Graham, NC (24 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 8 days ago

Posting ID: 28072 Position Type: Regular City: Graham, NC, United States Location: Graham Plant The Opportunity: Step into the role of a Loader Operator and let your motivation, problem-solving...

Equipment Operator

  • Raleigh, NC (21 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 9 days ago
  • Raleigh, NC (21 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 9 days ago

Equipment Operator 2.9 2.9 out of 5 stars Raleigh, NC 27601 Clean Harbors ' National Remediation team is seeking Traveling Heavy Equipment Operators....

Crane Operator - Hydraulic Cranes

  • Durham, NC
  • 9 days ago
  • Durham, NC
  • 9 days ago

Guy M. Turner, Inc needs hydraulic crane operators for our Greensboro NC, Winston-Salem NC, and Burlington NC locations. This is a permanent, full time position operating modern, well-maintained...

Crane Operator

  • Durham, NC
  • 9 days ago
  • Durham, NC
  • 9 days ago

Guy M. Turner, Inc needs boom truck, hydraulic crane, and crawler crane operators. This is a permanent, full time position operating modern, well-maintained equipment. Applicant should possess...

Crane Operator - Boom Truck

  • Durham, NC
  • 9 days ago
  • Durham, NC
  • 9 days ago

Guy M. Turner, Inc needs boom truck operators for our Greensboro NC, Winston-Salem NC, and Burlington NC locations. This is a permanent, full time position operating modern, well-maintained...

Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Wake Forest, NC (19 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 10 days ago
  • Wake Forest, NC (19 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 10 days ago

truck, loader, trackhoe, backhoe, tamper, water truck and bulldozer....

Equipment Operator - Cemetery

  • Durham, NC
  • 15 days ago
  • Durham, NC
  • 15 days ago

Operating construction equipment including, but not limited, dump trucks, front-end loaders, and tractors....

CDL-A Local Driver / Forklift Operator, Full-time

  • Raleigh, NC (21 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 17 days ago
  • Raleigh, NC (21 miles from Durham, NC)
  • 17 days ago

Pickup and delivery of cargo to and from various destinations usually within proximity of the consolidation/distribution center. The loading and unloading of trailers utilizing the same...

Demographic Data for Durham, NC

Moving to Durham, NC? Find some basic demographic data about Durham, NC below.


Local
National
306,633
7,596
Large

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- Accredited
Heavy Equipment Operator Course: Excavator & Skid Steer CertificationOur comprehensive Heavy Equipment Operator Course offers online training and expert instruction on two essential pieces of...
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,...
Load Securement for Heavy Equipment (US) Course
The North American Cargo Securement Standard forms the basis for the cargo securement and distribution regulations in the United States and Canada. The regulations are designed to ensure cargo...

Title Synonyms

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Salary for Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Durham, NC

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


Highest Education Level

Heavy Equipment Operators in Durham, NC offer the following education background
High School or GED
48.6%
Vocational Degree or Certification
23.3%
Associate's Degree
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree
10.2%
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 Durham, NC
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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