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Car Crusher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

LKQ Corporation

Loader Operator

Casa Grande, AZ · On-site

$16 - $21.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Equipment operated may include a wheel loader, car crusher, skid loader, backhoe, forklift, etc... * Check fluids each day equipment is used and lubricate equipment at recommended intervals.

Lkqcorp

Loader Operator

Moses Lake, WA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Equipment operated may include awheel loader, car crusher, skid loader, backhoe, forklift, etc... * Check fluids each day equipment is used and lubricate equipment at recommended intervals.

LKQ

Loader Operator

Casa Grande, AZ · On-site

$16 - $21.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Equipment operated may include a wheel loader, car crusher, skid loader, backhoe, forklift, etc... * Check fluids each day equipment is used and lubricate equipment at recommended intervals.

LKQ

Loader Operator

Moses Lake, WA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Equipment operated may include a wheel loader, car crusher, skid loader, backhoe, forklift, etc... * Check fluids each day equipment is used and lubricate equipment at recommended intervals.

LKQ Corporation

Loader Operator

Moses Lake, WA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Equipment operated may include a wheel loader, car crusher, skid loader, backhoe, forklift, etc... * Check fluids each day equipment is used and lubricate equipment at recommended intervals.

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.

Equipment Operator

East Chicago, IN · On-site

$18.50 - $25.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Operate & maintain heavy equipment including but not limited to front end loaders, manlift, yard vehicle, car crusher, shear, and or yard switch tractor. * Operate & maintain baler and remove ...

AK Steel

Equipment Operator

Strong, ME

$19.50 - $26.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Operate & maintain heavy equipment including but not limited to front end loaders, manlift, yard vehicle, car crusher, shear, and or yard switch tractor. * Operate & maintain baler and remove ...

Waterway Carwash

Car Wash - Detailer

Chesterfield, MO · On-site

$21/hr

Dr., Maryland Heights, MO 63146 O'Fallon location - 3995 Crusher Dr, O'Fallon, MO 63368 Why ... Free Car Washes and Gas Discounts. * Referral Bonus program. * Recognized as a Top Workplace ...

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Car Crusher information

See salary details

$5

$13

$15

How much do car crusher jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for car crusher in the United States is $13.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.58 and $15.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a car crusher?

Car crushers are specialized machines used to compress and flatten old, wrecked, or decommissioned vehicles so they take up less space for transportation and recycling. These machines use powerful hydraulic or mechanical force to crush the car, making it easier to handle and process. Car crushers are commonly used in scrapyards and recycling facilities to prepare vehicles for further recycling, where valuable metals and parts can be recovered and reused. The process helps reduce waste and supports environmental sustainability by ensuring that vehicles are properly disposed of and recycled.

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

To thrive as a Car Crusher, you typically need mechanical aptitude, knowledge of heavy machinery operation, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with hydraulic systems, safety protocols, and sometimes forklifts or loaders—supported by relevant certifications—are commonly required. Attention to detail, reliability, and strong communication skills help ensure safety and efficiency on the job. These skills are essential for safely processing vehicles, minimizing hazards, and maintaining productivity in a demanding industrial environment.

What are some common safety challenges faced by car crushers and how are they addressed on the job?

Car Crushers frequently work in environments with heavy machinery, moving vehicles, and potentially hazardous materials. Common safety challenges include managing risks from hydraulic equipment, handling vehicles with unknown contents, and ensuring proper ventilation when dealing with hazardous fluids. To address these, workers are trained in strict safety protocols, such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), following lockout/tagout procedures, and participating in regular safety briefings. Teamwork and clear communication with other yard staff are crucial to maintain a safe and efficient workflow.

What is the difference between Car Crusher vs Scrap Metal Recycler?

AspectCar CrusherScrap Metal Recycler
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required, but safety training is commonOften requires safety certifications and knowledge of metal processing
Work EnvironmentIndustrial yards, scrapyards, recycling facilitiesRecycling plants, scrapyards, metal processing facilities
Job DutiesCrushing vehicles to reduce size for recycling or disposalSorting, processing, and recycling various metals including vehicles
Industry UsageUsed mainly in auto salvage and recycling industriesUsed across metal recycling and waste management sectors

While both roles operate within the recycling industry, a Car Crusher primarily focuses on crushing vehicles, whereas a Scrap Metal Recycler handles a broader range of metals and processing tasks. Understanding these differences can help job seekers find the right position that matches their skills and interests.

How to become a car crusher operator?

To become a car crusher operator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and should have experience operating heavy machinery. Training is often provided on-site, and familiarity with safety protocols and equipment such as hydraulic systems is important. Some positions may require certification in equipment operation or safety standards.
More about Car Crusher jobs

What job categories do people searching Car Crusher jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Car Crusher jobs are:

Car Crusher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Car Crusher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 41% Full Time, 54% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $27,666 per year, or $13.3 per hour.

Loader Operator

LKQ Corporation

Casa Grande, AZ • On-site

$16 - $21.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

LKQ rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 174 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

349th of 419 rated retail wholesalers

Job description

Join the LKQ Family! We're looking for motivated individuals to join our team at LKQ Corporation. With opportunities for growth, competitive benefits, and a supportive work environment, LKQ is the place to be. Apply now and take the first step toward a rewarding career!
Operate equipment safely and responsibly to move salvage vehicles through all phases of the operation, maintain facility grounds. Help ensure compliance with all federal, state and local regulations. Support dismantling and yard operations. Use scan gun and tablet/phone to update the inventory system on the location of vehicles. Help ensure fulfillment of daily work orders. Communicate written and verbally with management and other team members. Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Essential Job Duties
  • Perform pre-operational inspections to ensure equipment is safe for work.
  • Operate equipment safely and courteously in work areas with pedestrians and other vehicle traffic. Equipment operated may include a wheel loader, car crusher, skid loader, backhoe, forklift, etc...
  • Check fluids each day equipment is used and lubricate equipment at recommended intervals. Communicate any findings and equipment hours to management.
  • Prioritize and plan workload to prevent delays to operations.
  • Use long and short auto salvage forks on the wheel loader to unload car haulers and stage upcoming cars for inventory, dismantling and cuts.
  • Use bucket to remove, spread stone and maintain grounds such as access roads, water drainage, vehicle holding areas and salvage yard.
  • Assist with regulation compliance and quality assurance of dismantled vehicles before unloading from bay and placing in the salvage yard.
  • Load dismantle bays with unprocessed cars. Process and crush vehicles that have reached their useful life and load onto scrap haulers for final disposal.
  • Assist with safety and regulation compliance for the facility in general. Maintain location accuracy and integrity of vehicles placed in the yard.
  • Perform tasks assigned by dispatch which may include: location checks, part checks, part pulls, etc. Communicate delays and problems promptly with management and affected coworkers.
  • Assume other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities
  • Not responsible for supervising employees.

Minimum Requirements
Education & Experience
  • 1+ years of experience.
  • Must have heavy equipment operations experience and some automotive background.
  • Must possess basic technology competence (scan gun, tablet/phone applications).
  • Must have good oral and written communication skills.
  • Must possess the ability to stay calm, cool and collected in a high-pressure fast-paced work environment.
  • Must be a smooth operator and work well with others.

Preferred Requirements
  • High School Diploma/GED.
  • Previous heavy equipment operation, some computer skills, general maintenance and understanding of mechanical equipment.
  • understanding of automotive components and disassembly.
  • Experience in rigging/lifting operations a plus.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
  • Basic computer skills.
  • Basic messages communicated orally. May write brief messages and keep simple records.
  • Problems encountered are routine, somewhat repetitive and generally solved by following clear directions and procedures.
  • Decisions generally affect own job or assigned functional area.
  • Results are defined; sets personal own goals and determines how to achieve results with few or no guidelines to follow; supervisor/manager provides broad guidance and overall direction.
  • Handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously with moderate complexity.

Essential Physical Demands/Work Environment
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, push, pull, squat, bend, reach, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or sit for extended periods.
  • The employee may be exposed to hazardous situations, conditions, and equipment. Must be able to work in cramped spaces or underneath vehicles that may require getting into awkward positions. May regularly wear personal protective equipment (PPE). May be exposed to extreme temperatures and high noise levels.
  • Travel may be required periodically, including overnight stays (contingent on position requirements).
  • Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds.

Benefits:
  • Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Fertility Coverage
  • 401k with Generous Company Match
  • Company Paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Discounts

Join us for an exciting career journey with positive, driven individuals.

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About LKQ

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

LKQ Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, IL, US is a global leader in the auto parts industry. The company specializes in offering alternative auto parts and systems to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. Founded in 1998, LKQ has accumulated extensive expertise in vehicle product resources, offering recycled automotive and truck parts, refurbished components, and reconditioned pieces. Beyond replacement parts, LKQ also offers a wide range of services, including aftermarket, recycled, and remanufactured mechanical and collision auto parts. This unique approach of the corporation embodies their mission that focuses on providing cost-effective alternatives to new car parts while also prioritizing environmental sustainability.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1998

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