Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Lakewood, WA

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 18 Jobs
MasTec Communications Group

Directional Drill Operator/Locator

Overview At MasTec Communications Group we build for the future. Yours and ours. As a Directional Drill Operator/Locator, you will develop new skills, work in a safety-minded environment, and join...

Forklift Operator - Seasonal - Background Friendly

  • Olympia, WA (24 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 4 days ago
  • Olympia, WA (24 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 4 days ago

Forklift Operator - Seasonal - Background Friendly Ascend Staffing - Olympia, WA Posted: 8/14/2025 - Expires: 11/12/2025 Job ID: 292334094 Job Description Job Title: - Seasonal Starts September...

Forklift Operator - Lumber Yard

  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 4 days ago
  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 4 days ago

Forklift Operator - Lumber Yard Ascend Staffing - Tacoma, WA Posted: 8/14/2025 - Expires: 11/12/2025 Job ID: 292332152 Job Description Must Have Lumber Yard Experience!!!!!!! Apply today, work...

Loader Operator - Red Dog

  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 6 days ago

Description Twitter Linkedin Facebook Google+Pinterestemail Are you interested in a job supporting a marine transportation operation in the Pacific Northwest? Come join Foss Maritime team in...

Forklift Operator

  • Federal Way, WA (11 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Federal Way, WA (11 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 6 days ago

Material Handler Job Description We are seeking a Material Handler who will accurately provide inventory information for company-controlled material stock. You will monitor, organize, and maintain...

Warehouse / Forklift Operator

  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 10 days ago
  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 10 days ago

Warehouse / Forklift Operator Coleman American Companies, Inc - Tacoma, WA Posted: 8/9/2025 - Expires: 11/7/2025 Job ID: 292302526 Job Description Job Summary: The Warehouse Clerk will process...

Equipment Operator

  • Puyallup, WA (6 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 10 days ago
  • Puyallup, WA (6 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 10 days 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....

Forklift Operator-Req. ID 17056

  • Dupont, WA (12 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 13 days ago
  • Dupont, WA (12 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 13 days ago

Basalite Building Products, LLC is one of the largest manufacturers of concrete masonry products in the Western United States. Product lines include structural block, interlocking paving stones,...

Forklift Operator (Day)

  • Sumner, WA (10 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 14 days ago
  • Sumner, WA (10 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 14 days ago

Forklift Operator Pay: $23/Hour Location: Sumner, WA Shift: Day Job Description We are seeking skilled forklift operators for two openings in our day shift, running from 7am to 3:30pm. This role...

Yard Worker & Forklift Operator

  • Tukwila, WA (23 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 14 days ago
  • Tukwila, WA (23 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 14 days ago

Job Details Level : Experienced Job Location : South Seattle - Tukwila, WA Position Type : Full Time Education Level : High School/ GED Salary Range : $20.00 - $23.00 Hourly Travel Percentage :...

Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 24 days ago
  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 24 days ago

Tacoma Water: Heavy Equipment Operators in Tacoma Water operate heavy, power-driven equipment such as backhoes, mobile cranes, hydro excavator trucks, trailers, dump trucks, tractors, and other large...

Equipment Operator

  • Sumner, WA (10 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 26 days ago
  • Sumner, WA (10 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 26 days 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....

Grounds Heavy Equipment Operator

  • Tukwila, WA (23 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 27 days ago
  • Tukwila, WA (23 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 27 days ago

Grounds Heavy Equipment Operator JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Operates trucks and/or tractors of various sizes and weights in the loading, hauling, and unloading of various equipment, materials, and supplies...

Biosolids Distribution Operator (Vehicle, Truck & Equipment Operator)

  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Tacoma, WA (3 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 30+ days ago

Operate and maintain a variety of equipment and machines such as tanker trucks, dump trucks, front loaders, hoists, soil mixers, miscellaneous spreaders, tractors and monitors....

Warehouse Overhead Crane Operator

  • Kent, WA (16 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • Kent, WA (16 miles from Lakewood, WA)
  • 30+ days ago

Summary: The overhead crane operator is responsible for pulling slab orders accurately and safely. This task will be performed using the overhead cranes. Work Hours: Monday to Friday from 07:00 AM...

Demographic Data for Lakewood, WA

Moving to Lakewood, WA? Find some basic demographic data about Lakewood, WA below.

Local
National
7,705,271
197,951

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.
Udemy
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...
Skillsoft Percipio
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...
MIT OpenCourseWare
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,...
Register to search for more online courses. >>>

Title Synonyms

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Salary for Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Lakewood, WA

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

Highest Education Level

Heavy Equipment Operators in Lakewood, WA 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 Lakewood, WA
2-4 years
36.6%
Less than 1 year
26.8%
1-2 years
19.9%
4-6 years
16.3%
None
0.4%

Qualifications / Skill Sets

The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Heavy Equipment Operator position

In-Demand skills () are the most popular among employers according to the current jobs in our database. Last updated today!

Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills

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