ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Blade Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Colas

DELTA | Finish Blade Operator

Paragould, AR

Must be at least 18 years of age. * 5 or more years of experience operating a finish blade preferred; operator certifications a plus * Experience operating other types of heavy equipment preferred ...

Farmer Holding Company

Finish Grader

Little Rock, AR · On-site

Experienced Finish Blade Operator Capital Paving & Construction is a heavy highway and civil construction company in Arkansas. We are actively seeking a skilled Finish Blade Operator (Motor Grader ...

CRH

Finish Blade Operator- Navasota

Navasota, TX · On-site

$15.75 - $21.75/hr

Finish Blade Operator- Navasota AMAT Navasota, Texas, United States Job ID: 526340 Texas Materials, A CRH company, is a leading supplier of aggregates, asphalt, ready mixed concrete, and paving and ...

ABCI

Finish Blade / Motor Grader Operator

Lubbock, TX · On-site

Finish Blade / Motor Grader Operator Top Pay | Local Work | Home Every Night ABCI is looking for an experienced Finish Blade / Motor Grader Operator who takes pride in clean, accurate dirt work. We ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsBlade Operator Jobs

Blade Operator information

See salary details

$17

$25

$36

How much do blade operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for blade operator in the United States is $25.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $32.45 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.
More about Blade Operator jobs
What cities are hiring for Blade Operator jobs? Cities with the most Blade Operator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Blade Operator jobs? The most popular types of Blade Operator jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Blade Operator jobs? The top employers for Blade Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Blade Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Blade Operator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Blade Operator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Blade Operator jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Blade Operator jobs? For Blade Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Blade Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Blade Operator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 55% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,016 per year, or $25.5 per hour.

Motor Grader Rough Blade Operator

Earth Resources Corporation

Dewey Humboldt, AZ • On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Signing bonus
  • Vision insurance

Finish Blade Operator

Reports To: Superintendents
Location: Dewey, AZ
Status: Hourly/Non-Exempt
Position Objective
Operate a self-propelled grader to spread and level dirt, gravel, and stone to finish grade specifications in the construction and maintenance of earthwork structures, such as highways, streets, dikes, temporary roads, and subdivisions.
Essential Functions
  • Capable of blue-topping roads and pads.
  • Fully understand the blade's controls and functions.
  • Operate all controls and functions safely and without incident.
  • Communication via 2-way radio.
  • Achieve acceptable rough and finish grade in all types of soils and conditions.
  • Read and understand grades on stakes.
  • Watch and report on wear items (i.e., cutting edges, teeth).
  • Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications
  • 2+ years of finish blade operations experience required.
  • Experience with TOPCON Machine Control preferred.
  • GPS experience a plus.
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Completion of grade 12 or equivalent preferred.
  • Display an uncompromising focus on safety by properly following company policies and MSHA/DOT/DEQ/ OSHA regulations for safe working procedures and protection of the environment.
  • Must have experience in earthmoving and heavy construction with knowledge of cut/fill operations from a variety of projects
  • Display a professional and courteous attitude to co-workers, supervisors, and the public at all times.
  • Be willing to work in a team environment and assist co-workers or supervisors with other duties as required.
  • Ability to do basic math.
  • Must require minimal supervision.
  • Ability to carry out detailed written or oral instructions.
  • Ability to read and write English.
  • At least 20/40 acuity in each eye with or without correction. 
 Work Demands & Environment
  • Personal protective equipment is required on a regular basis, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, and as needed, safety-toed boots, respirator, protective clothing, gloves and other protective equipment.
  • Employee will be required to work in outdoor environments which may include exposure to extreme temperatures and weather.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, stand, sit, shovel, sweep, rake, demonstrate manual dexterity, climb stairs and ladders, and work on elevated platforms, possibly for extended periods.
  • Requires occasional moving/lifting of up to 50 pounds during the course of the workday.
EEOC Employment
ERC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.