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Backhoe Owner Operator Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Backhoe Owner Operator information

What are some common challenges Backhoe Owner Operators face when managing both equipment maintenance and project deadlines?

Backhoe Owner Operators often juggle the dual responsibility of keeping their equipment in peak condition while meeting tight project schedules. Unexpected equipment breakdowns or maintenance issues can cause costly delays, making proactive maintenance and regular inspections essential. Balancing these tasks requires strong organizational skills and a clear understanding of project timelines. Additionally, effective communication with clients and contractors helps prioritize work and mitigate disruptions, ensuring both machinery and projects stay on track.

What is the going rate for backhoe work per hour?

Backhoe owner operators typically earn between $20 and $35 per hour, depending on factors such as experience, location, project complexity, and whether they are working as independent contractors or through a company. Rates may also vary based on the equipment used and the duration of the job.

How much money can I make with a backhoe?

Backhoe owner operators typically earn between $20 and $35 per hour, with annual incomes ranging from $40,000 to $80,000 depending on experience, location, and job complexity. Additional income can come from operating multiple machines or working overtime, and certifications in equipment operation can improve earning potential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Backhoe Owner Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Backhoe Owner Operator, you need expertise in heavy equipment operation, a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), and knowledge of safety regulations. Familiarity with backhoe maintenance procedures and operating GPS or construction management software is also valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help ensure safe, efficient job performance and client satisfaction. These abilities are vital for completing projects on time, minimizing risks, and maintaining equipment longevity in a competitive construction environment.

What type of owner operators make the most money?

Backhoe owner operators who have extensive experience, specialized skills, and operate in high-demand construction or excavation projects tend to earn higher incomes. Those with certifications, a strong safety record, and the ability to handle complex or large-scale jobs can also increase their earning potential.

What are Backhoe Owner Operators?

Backhoe Owner Operators are skilled professionals who own and operate their own backhoe equipment to perform excavation, digging, and construction tasks. They often work as independent contractors, providing services to construction companies, municipalities, and private clients. In addition to operating the machinery, they are responsible for maintaining their equipment, managing business operations, and ensuring safety standards are met on job sites.

What is the difference between Backhoe Owner Operator vs Excavator Operator?

AspectBackhoe Owner OperatorExcavator Operator
CredentialsValid CDL or operating license, equipment experienceOperator certification, experience with excavators
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, private projects, equipment ownershipConstruction sites, rental equipment, industrial projects
Employer/IndustrySelf-employed or small business owner, construction, landscapingConstruction companies, contractors, industrial sectors

The main difference between a Backhoe Owner Operator and an Excavator Operator lies in ownership and scope. A Backhoe Owner Operator owns and operates a backhoe, often working independently or for small businesses, while an Excavator Operator typically works for larger companies or contractors, focusing solely on excavator operation. Both roles require similar certifications and work in construction environments, but ownership and job scope distinguish them.

Is there demand for backhoe operators?

Backhoe operators are in steady demand across construction, landscaping, and utility industries due to ongoing infrastructure projects and development. Employers seek skilled operators with certifications and experience operating backhoes and related equipment, often requiring knowledge of safety protocols and machinery maintenance.
Infographic showing various Backhoe Owner Operator job openings in Alabama as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, and 28% Hybrid job distribution.

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I- Public Works

company479

Anniston, AL • On-site

$13.49 - $19.55/hr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Operates and performs safety inspections on light equipment such as backhoes, pickup trucks, and tractors with various attachments.

  • Performs manual labor tasks including shoveling, spreading materials, clearing brush, trimming, and cleaning city grounds, right-of-ways, and cemeteries.

  • Loads and unloads construction materials and debris, and assists with maintenance and minor repairs of equipment and city structures.


Job description

Description
PURPOSE: Under general direction of a supervisor the employee performs general and semi-skilled work in the operation of light equipment (backhoe and pickup truck. Duties may also include performing maintenance on equipment and light to heavy physical labor related to city maintenance (e.g. City structures, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and other miscellaneous) activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Prior to operating equipment, performs safety and maintenance inspection of assigned equipment, checks all fluid levels. While equipment is being operated, continuously monitors gauges and other indicators for nonstandard conditions. Performs light maintenance and servicing in connection with equipment operated; notifies supervisor of mechanical or safety problems. May assist mechanic with field repairs. Drive and operate leaf truck with leaf attachment, drive brush truck to landfill, dump truck. Drive pickup truck. Ability to operates tractor with slope mower attachments, bush hog attachment, and wing mower attachment to ditch banks, cut street right of ways and side streets. May operate roller to smooth and compact asphalt as required. Operate chain saw to cut trees from right-of-way. Uses axe, bush axe, banjo blade to clear brush. Loads and unloads trucks and cans of dirt, construction materials, and supplies. Shovels and/or spreads asphalt, gravel, cinders, rock, dirt, and other materials. Directs traffic at job sites. Fills sand bags and constructs head walls for culverts. Assist tree division as required. Operates jackhammer to break up concrete and asphalt during patching and resurfacing activities. Constructs curbs; builds and sets up forms, mixes and pours concrete, removes and cleans offs forms. Uses shovel to dig trenches for drainage pipes; levels and connects cement pipes, backfills trenches. Assists in moving and replacing existing structures prior to trenching activities and may direct traffic at job sites. Inspects storm drains, clears debris to keep water free flowing. Loads limbs, rocks, debris, etc. and transports to landfill. Maintains city grounds and right-of-ways, which includes alleys and city owned cemeteries. Performs related manual labor as required. Trims around storm drains and ditch lines. Cleans out shop, cleans out and washes trucks. After storms picks up limbs and road side trash. Carries tools and equipment to and from storage and work areas. Acts as flagman, direct traffic when road is under construction or repair. Spreads sand on oil and gas spills. Assist in paint shop. Repairs and replaces streets sign. Rakes leaves to leaf machine, assists operator as required. Cleans city barn on rainy days. Cleans and washes up vehicle. Helps build storm lids. Assists in garage. Manually sweeps streets if needed. Assists in roof repairs. Assists on brush and junk pick up routes, loads junk and brush onto trucks. Checks graves to ensure appropriate level, adds or removes dirt. Straightens markers that leans or have fallen. Make cement markers for indigents. Clean roadways and streets around cemetery. Makes off grave dimensions, ensures depth and width meet standards. Removes excess dirt before or immediately after funeral. Helps install vaults, tents, and chair. Acts as pall bearer when required. Assists funeral director with flowers or directing cars for parking and directing location of funeral. May dig graves with backhoe where terrain and/or clearance will allow, but also digs graves by hand when necessary.
Requirements
PURPOSE: Under general direction of a supervisor the employee performs general and semi-skilled work in the operation of light equipment (backhoe and pickup truck. Duties may also include performing maintenance on equipment and light to heavy physical labor related to city maintenance (e.g. City structures, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and other miscellaneous) activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Prior to operating equipment, performs safety and maintenance inspection of assigned equipment, checks all fluid levels. While equipment is being operated, continuously monitors gauges and other indicators for nonstandard conditions. Performs light maintenance and servicing in connection with equipment operated; notifies supervisor of mechanical or safety problems. May assist mechanic with field repairs. Drive and operate leaf truck with leaf attachment, drive brush truck to landfill, dump truck. Drive pickup truck. Ability to operates tractor with slope mower attachments, bush hog attachment, and wing mower attachment to ditch banks, cut street right of ways and side streets. May operate roller to smooth and compact asphalt as required. Operate chain saw to cut trees from right-of-way. Uses axe, bush axe, banjo blade to clear brush. Loads and unloads trucks and cans of dirt, construction materials, and supplies. Shovels and/or spreads asphalt, gravel, cinders, rock, dirt, and other materials. Directs traffic at job sites. Fills sand bags and constructs head walls for culverts. Assist tree division as required. Operates jackhammer to break up concrete and asphalt during patching and resurfacing activities. Constructs curbs; builds and sets up forms, mixes and pours concrete, removes and cleans offs forms. Uses shovel to dig trenches for drainage pipes; levels and connects cement pipes, backfills trenches. Assists in moving and replacing existing structures prior to trenching activities and may direct traffic at job sites. Inspects storm drains, clears debris to keep water free flowing. Loads limbs, rocks, debris, etc. and transports to landfill. Maintains city grounds and right-of-ways, which includes alleys and city owned cemeteries. Performs related manual labor as required. Trims around storm drains and ditch lines. Cleans out shop, cleans out and washes trucks. After storms picks up limbs and road side trash. Carries tools and equipment to and from storage and work areas. Acts as flagman, direct traffic when road is under construction or repair. Spreads sand on oil and gas spills. Assist in paint shop. Repairs and replaces streets sign. Rakes leaves to leaf machine, assists operator as required. Cleans city barn on rainy days. Cleans and washes up vehicle. Helps build storm lids. Assists in garage. Manually sweeps streets if needed. Assists in roof repairs. Assists on brush and junk pick up routes, loads junk and brush onto trucks. Checks graves to ensure appropriate level, adds or removes dirt. Straightens markers that leans or have fallen. Make cement markers for indigents. Clean roadways and streets around cemetery. Makes off grave dimensions, ensures depth and width meet standards. Removes excess dirt before or immediately after funeral. Helps install vaults, tents, and chair. Acts as pall bearer when required. Assists funeral director with flowers or directing cars for parking and directing location of funeral. May dig graves with backhoe where terrain and/or clearance will allow, but also digs graves by hand when necessary.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Skills in the operation of hand held power tools and related equipment. Ability to operate a tractor with attachments, roller and compactor. Ability to follow verbal and written directions. Ability to communicate with supervisor, co-workers, subordinates, and the public. Reading skills to read and understand maps, blueprints, city rules, regulations, work orders and street signs. Writing skills to complete work orders, requests materials for a job. Basic knowledge of truck and light equipment maintenance. Ability to operate equipment safety. Ability to climb on top of and crawl under various types of equipment. Knowledge of traffic regulations. Defensive driving skills. Knowledge of safety rules, including accident causation and prevention. Knowledge of both city and department policies, procedures, and rules. Stamina to withstand working outside in various extremes to weather. Ability to lift and move fifty (50) pounds.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Possess a high school diploma or GED.
2. Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of experience in construction or public works work; prefer experience in light equipment operation and maintenance; or any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the above listed knowledge, skills, and abilities commensurate with the requirements of this job.
3. Obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within one (1) year of employment; must be insurable.
4. Ability to work overtime and non-standard hours when required.
5. Ability to travel to attend professional development workshops and training programs.
6. Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and an initial drug screen.
*If you are offered a position with the City you will be given instructions for submitting additional pre-employment forms. Applicants tentatively selected for safety sensitive positions will be required to submit to a drug screen prior to appointment. Final appointment to the position is contingent upon a satisfactory drug test result. All new hires will need to provide the following documents:
Social Security Card Valid driver's license (or State ID) I-9 documents (acceptable documents) High school diploma or College degree(s)