Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Hickory, 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 16 Jobs

Forklift Operator -Dry/Night

  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours 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...

Forklift Operator -Cooler/Day

  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours 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...

Forklift Operator -Dry/Day

  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours 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...

Forklift Operator - Freezer Day

  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 21 hours 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...

Forklift Operator - 2nd Shift

  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 1 day ago
  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 1 day ago

Forklift Operator - 2nd Shift Date:Jun 6, 2025 Location: Conover, NC, US Company: Leggett & Platt Pay Grade: 2nd Shift: $18.50 Hourly Hours: 2nd Shift: Sunday throughThursday 3:00pm - 11:00pm...

Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 1 day ago
  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 1 day ago

Hourly Wage: $19.85 - $23.35 per/hour *The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly...

Forklift Operator - 1st Shift & 2nd Shift

  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 6 days ago
  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 6 days ago

Forklift Operator - 1st Shift & 2nd Shift Date:Jun 6, 2025 Location: Conover, NC, US Company: Leggett & Platt Pay Grade: 1st Shift: $16.50 Hourly 2nd Shift: $18.50 Hourly Hours: 1st Shift: Monday...

Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Newton, NC (10 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 12 days ago
  • Newton, NC (10 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 12 days ago

Ames Construction has built America for more than 60 years, and the exceptional people who make up our team are a vital factor in our success. We are a full-service, heavy civil and industrial...

Equipment Operator (Street)-$1,500 Sign-On Bonus

  • Hickory, NC
  • 14 days ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 14 days ago

Skill in operating equipment such as a backhoe, tractor, tandem axel dump truck, etc. Skill in operating various hand and power tools. Skill in concrete finishing....

Heavy Equipment Operator (Street)-$1,500 Sign-On Bonus

  • Hickory, NC
  • 15 days ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 15 days ago

Skill in operating equipment such as a motor grader, excavator, bulldozer, dump truck, street sweeper, and backhoe. Skill in operating various hand and power tools....

Forklift Operator- Start ASAP

  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 15 days ago
  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 15 days ago

Hiring Forklift Operator ASAP!! $17-19/hr 1st and 3rd shift Conover, NC Job Responsibilities: Operate forklift (sit down/stand up/clamp) for 50% of the time Load and unload raw materials Perform...

Forklift Operator - 1st Shift

  • Hickory, NC
  • 19 days ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 19 days ago

Overview Performs various tasks necessary to operate forklift in the assigned department to keep operators supplied with needed materials and removes their finished products. This position also...

Pile Driver

  • Newton, NC (10 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 22 days ago
  • Newton, NC (10 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 22 days ago

Pile Driver Ames Construction, Inc. United States, North Carolina, ton Jun 06, 2025 Ames Construction has built America for more than 60 years, and the exceptional people who make up our team are...

Forklift Operator - 1st Shift

  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 26 days ago
  • Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
  • 26 days ago

Pay Grade: $16.50 Hourly Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00am - 3:00pm Elite Comfort Solutions, a Leggett & Platt Company, is comprised of hardworking individuals dedicated to delivering...

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

  • Hickory, NC
  • 90+ days ago
  • Hickory, NC
  • 90+ 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 Hickory, NC

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


Local
National
83,157
2,724
Medium/Lg

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 Hickory, 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 Hickory, NC offer the following education background
High School or GED
48.5%
Vocational Degree or Certification
23.3%
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 Hickory, 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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