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Blade Operator Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Groundperson - Union

Holton, KS · On-site

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

A family-owned and operated corporation headquartered near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Asplundh has ... Asplundh also operates Rotor Blade Airborne Utilities Management, overhead electric distribution ...

... packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip. * Follow all required safety policies and ... greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational ...

... packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip. * Follow all required safety policies and ... greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational ...

... packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip. * Follow all required safety policies and ... greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational ...

... packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip. * Follow all required safety policies and ... greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational ...

... packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip. * Follow all required safety policies and ... greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational ...

... packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip. * Follow all required safety policies and ... greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational ...

Showing results 41-54

Blade Operator information

See Kansas salary details

$15

$22

$32

How much do blade operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for blade operator in Kansas is $22.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.41 and $28.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a blade operator faces during a typical workday?

Blade Operators often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, maintaining precise control over grading equipment, and coordinating with other crew members to ensure a smooth workflow. Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting can also be demanding, as ensuring machines are in optimal condition is critical for both safety and productivity. Additionally, adapting to different job site requirements and interpreting grading plans accurately are essential skills that help Blade Operators meet project specifications and deadlines.

What does a blade operator do?

A blade operator is a type of construction worker that operates specific construction equipment, such as a finish blade or motor graders. Your responsibilities in this career are to operate your equipment to complete tasks on a construction project. Your specific duties depend on the specifics project. You may need to excavate an area or finish the grade of the surface of a road. You must also regularly inspect your equipment and perform any minor repairs that are needed. You can outsource more extensive repairs to specialty mechanics. However, you should maintain your equipment to avoid costly repairs. Another significant aspect of your work as a blade operator is safety management. You must follow all safety practices to minimize risk on the job site.

What is the difference between Blade Operator vs Excavator Operator?

AspectBlade OperatorExcavator Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent, OSHA safety trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent, OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, roadwork, landscapingConstruction sites, excavation, demolition
Industry UsageHeavy civil construction, landscapingHeavy civil construction, mining, demolition

Both Blade Operators and Excavator Operators require similar certifications and often work in construction environments. The main difference lies in the equipment used: Blade Operators primarily operate bulldozers with blades for grading and moving earth, while Excavator Operators handle excavators for digging and lifting tasks. Understanding these distinctions helps employers and workers choose the right role based on project needs.

What is a blade operator?

Blade Operators are skilled professionals who operate motor graders, commonly known as blades, to spread and level materials such as gravel, dirt, or asphalt on roads and construction sites. They are responsible for ensuring surfaces are smooth, even, and meet project specifications. Blade Operators must understand site plans, perform routine equipment maintenance, and follow safety guidelines to prevent accidents. Their work is essential for road construction, maintenance, and other civil engineering projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a blade operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Blade Operator, you need proficiency in operating heavy machinery, a solid understanding of construction or roadwork processes, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with equipment such as motor graders, GPS or laser-guided systems, and safety protocols is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and good hand-eye coordination are essential soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure efficient, safe, and precise grading work, which is critical for successful project completion.
What are popular job titles related to Blade Operator jobs in KS? For Blade Operator jobs in KS, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Blade Operator job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 40% Full Time, 58% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,282 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

$22.17/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


Asplundh Tree Expert rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 242 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 19 rated forestry and logging companies


Job description

Description

Job Title: Groundperson

**We are hiring Entry-level and Skilled Groundperson** On-the-job training is provided.  The perfect opportunity to build a career in the Line Clearance industry.   If you enjoy the great outdoors, this position is tailor-made for you.   

Our team is on the lookout for bold individuals who love to work in all-weather elements. Wind, rain, sunshine, or snow - we tackle them all! If you want to experience the world from a tree's perspective, this is the job for you.   Our crews trim, top, and reshape trees to remove low-hanging, dead, and excess branches, providing clearance for utility powerlines.  

Are you a real go-getter looking for an amazing opportunity with a nationwide full-service utility contractor offering competitive wages and incredible benefits? Keep reading because this job might be for you!

Since 1928, Asplundh has been dedicated to safe, efficient, and innovative line clearance services for the utility industry. Reliable, uninterrupted power is an important service provided by the world's electrical utilities and Asplundh has the expertise to help keep the power flowing. Diversification over the years has opened up vegetation management services to other specialized markets such as municipalities, railroads, pipelines, helicopter vegetation services, and departments of transportation.

A family-owned and operated corporation headquartered near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Asplundh has grown to employ over 36,000 service professionals throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Job Type: 
  • Full-Time +, Non-Exempt
Pay: 
  • Competitive, Hourly
Benefits:
  • Company Sponsored Retirement Plan
  • Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Life, long-term/short-term disability insurance
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
  • Operate chainsaw to cut brush, logs, and stumps of larger trees.
  • Drag, gather, and feed brush into a woodchipper.
  • Services vehicles and equipment, maintaining them in neat, clean, and specified mechanical order.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Must be 18 years-of-age or older.
Education & Experience:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
  • Entry-level position, no experience required.
  • Previous experience a plus.
Pre-Screen:
  • Upon offer, employees may be required to subject and pass a pre-employment drug screen, background and/or MVR check.
License & Certifications:
  • Driver's License Preferred, but not required.
Physical Requirements:
  • RARE (less than 10%): Sitting, Crawling, Climbing Poles, Color Vision, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Stairs
  • OCCASIONAL (up to 33%): stooping, kneeling squatting, body twisting, sense of touch, climbing on/off the truck, gripping, lifting over 10 lbs to 50 lbs., reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing ladders, balancing, lifting over 50 lbs.
  • FREQUENT (up to 66%): standing, walking, manual dexterity, seeing distant, seeing, reading, range of motion, hearing-speech range, depth perception, climbing stairs, lifting up to 10 lbs.
  • CONTINUOUS (up to 100%): Sense of Touch, Gripping, Seeing, Carrying, Pulling
Safety:

Due to the inherently dangerous nature of the industry and requirements to work with or around hazardous equipment, employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools, be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods of time, be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, be able to wear personal protective equipment as necessary, be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day, have the endurance necessary to traverse various terrain, be capable of performing job duties throughout a standard 8- or 10-hour day, be able to communicate with others, read, write, and comprehend written/verbal job instructions and information, and communicate & handle confrontations professionally.

  • Works around hazardous equipment.
  • Works around excessive noise from machines, chain saws, and woodchippers, with hearing protection.
  • Works in all temperatures and weather and will be exposed to nature, i.e., irritating plants, biting, or stinging insects, dust, etc.
  • Works on unlevel ground.
  • Works around falling limbs with protection.
About Us:

As a full-service utility contractor Asplundh performs tree pruning and removals, right-of-way clearing and maintenance, vegetation management with herbicides and emergency storm work and logistical support. Asplundh is the parent company of Asplundh Infrastructure Group whose subsidiaries provide overhead and underground line construction, planning and design, meter reading and AMR/AMI installation, electrical testing, and street lighting/traffic signal services. Asplundh also operates Rotor Blade Airborne Utilities Management, overhead electric distribution, and transmission lines using MD 500 helicopters.

Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation can contact the ADA Coordinator by calling 1-833-222-3066. We partner with the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Immigration Service to e-Verify all newly hired employees.

An Equal Opportunity Employer.


Benefits
We offer a competitive range of benefits to support our employees’ health, well-being, and financial security. Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available to all eligible employees on the first day of employment. For more information on the benefits available for this role, please contact the recruiter or hiring manager.
Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation can contact the ADA Coordinator by calling 1-833-222-3066. We partner with the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Immigration Service to e-Verify all newly hired employees.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
Please note:
  • All job offers are subject to pre-employment drug screening and a background check.
  • Unless otherwise noted, we do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Notice to Agencies: We only accept resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing services if a Service Agreement has been signed and we have requested recruitment/staffing services for the specific position. Any unsolicited resumes will become the property of the company, and no fees or compensation will be paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or staffing service.

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