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Commercial Excavation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mr. Rooter-Excavation Crew Leader

Dayton, OH ยท On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Utilize skid steers, backhoes, and excavators safely for residential and commercial excavation. * Deliver Excellence: Ensure every job is completed with an absolute focus on safety, compliance, and ...

Experience in commercial excavation project management and site development processes is essential, along with a strong understanding of budgeting and cost control strategies. Effective schedule ...

Experience in commercial excavation project management and site development processes is essential, along with a strong understanding of budgeting and cost control strategies. Effective schedule ...

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Commercial Excavation information

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$28

$39

How much do commercial excavation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for commercial excavation in the United States is $28.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $31.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced in a commercial excavation role, and how can they be effectively managed?

Commercial excavation professionals often encounter challenges such as unexpected subsurface conditions, adverse weather, and tight project deadlines. Successfully managing these issues requires strong communication skills, adaptability, and adherence to safety protocols. Collaboration with project managers, engineers, and utility locators is essential for identifying risks early and ensuring the project stays on schedule. Regular training and pre-construction planning meetings also help teams anticipate and address potential obstacles efficiently.

Is there a demand for excavator jobs?

There is consistent demand for excavator operators in the construction and infrastructure industries due to ongoing development projects. Skilled operators with certifications and experience in operating heavy machinery are often sought after, especially in regions with active construction activity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Commercial Excavation, and why are they important?

To thrive in Commercial Excavation, you need a solid understanding of site preparation, earthmoving techniques, and safety protocols, often supported by a high school diploma and relevant certifications. Proficiency in operating heavy machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, and GPS-guided grading systems is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong problem-solving abilities are vital soft skills for this role. These skills ensure projects are completed efficiently, safely, and to precise specifications, minimizing risks and delays on busy commercial job sites.

What is the difference between Commercial Excavation vs Residential Excavation?

AspectCommercial ExcavationResidential Excavation
Work EnvironmentLarge-scale construction sites, commercial propertiesPrivate homes, small lots
Required CredentialsHeavy equipment operation, safety certificationsSimilar certifications, often less extensive
Project ScopeFoundation work, site preparation for commercial buildingsYard work, foundation for homes
Industry UsageConstruction, infrastructure projectsResidential development, remodeling

Commercial excavation involves large-scale projects like building foundations for commercial properties, requiring heavy equipment and safety certifications. Residential excavation focuses on smaller projects such as yard work and home foundations. While both roles require similar skills and certifications, the scale and scope differ significantly, with commercial excavation typically involving more complex and larger projects.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of commercial excavation, high-paying roles such as project managers, construction executives, or business owners can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, large-scale projects, or ownership stakes. These positions often require advanced skills, certifications, and management of large teams or budgets.

What trade pays the most in construction?

In construction, commercial excavation roles such as heavy equipment operators and project managers tend to be among the highest paid trades. These positions often require specialized skills, certifications, and experience, and can offer higher wages compared to other construction trades like carpenters or laborers.

What is commercial excavation?

Commercial excavation is the process of removing earth, soil, or rock from a site to prepare it for construction projects such as office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses, and other commercial structures. This work includes digging foundations, grading, trenching for utilities, and site preparation to ensure the land is stable and ready for building. Commercial excavators use specialized equipment and must follow strict safety and environmental regulations. Proper excavation ensures the integrity and longevity of the structures built on the site.

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

In the field of commercial excavation, high-paying roles such as project managers, construction executives, and specialized engineers can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, certifications, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require advanced skills, industry knowledge, and oversight of large-scale projects in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
More about Commercial Excavation jobs
What cities are hiring for Commercial Excavation jobs? Cities with the most Commercial Excavation job openings:
What states have the most Commercial Excavation jobs? States with the most job openings for Commercial Excavation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Commercial Excavation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Commercial Excavation jobs are:
Infographic showing various Commercial Excavation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,820 per year, or $28.3 per hour.
Commercial Excavation Foreman

Commercial Excavation Foreman

Watson Excavating Inc.

Turbotville, PA โ€ข On-site

$33 - $35/hr

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Earn over $100K on a typical schedule running a small crew and the machines. Local jobs that usually run year-round instead of seasonal shut-downs. Home nights and most weekends free.


About Watson Excavating Inc.

Weโ€™re a third-generation earthwork contractor with deep roots and long-term partners who trust our work. As a small, hands-on team, we stay close to the field. Youโ€™ll often see the owners on site running equipment and pitching in with the crew. Our projects range from commercial and residential to agricultural work, covering clearing, demolition, grading, utilities, and paving prep.
How You'll Get To Contribute
We're growing and adding another excavation crew. Youโ€™ll lead that crew day to day in the field, carrying out the Superintendentโ€™s plans and keeping work progressing the way it was estimated. In a small company like ours, Foremen stay close to the work and their crews, so youโ€™ll help run the job day to day by keeping the crew aligned, adjusting the work when conditions change, and stepping onto the machines wherever the work needs you.


What You'll Get To Do

  • Deliver excavation scopes on small commercial, residential, and agricultural projects by leading a tight 3-4 person crew through clearing, demolition, grading, utilities, and paving prep
  • Build a competent crew by tracking production against estimates, coaching the crew in the field to address gaps, and training new team members
  • Keep the crew aligned on the plan by translating the Superintendentโ€™s direction into clear work and redirecting efforts when field conditions or progress start to drift
  • Keep work progressing across short-duration projects that move between sites by stepping into different roles and operating excavators, bulldozers, rollers, or skid loaders as the work demands
Typical Schedule & Earning Potential:ย 
  • Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Weekend work is generally avoided.
  • Work on projects typically within about an hour of Turbotville, PA so you can stay local and be home nights.
  • Crews typically average about 55 hours per week, though hours can vary depending on workload. That works out to over $100K per year. Overtime is consistent because projects move quickly and crews stay busy.
  • Work usually runs year-round instead of seasonal shutdowns.
  • Crews usually meet at the shop in Turbotville before heading to the jobsite, though sometimes employees go directly to the site.ย ย 
Who You Are
  • You bring 3+ years of experience leading a crew as an excavation Foreman
  • You know your way around excavators, bulldozers, rollers, and skid loaders
  • You can read plans and understand how the work should come together in the field
  • Youโ€™re comfortable performing takeoffs to make sure work lines up with estimates
  • You worked your way up through the field, understand the challenges of each role, and lead by example - stepping into any seat or task when the crew needs it.
  • Youโ€™re someone people naturally like working with and who helps a tight crew work well together through long days in the field.
Even Better But Not Required
  • You've got experience using a GPS rover for site layout
  • You've operatedย GPS-equipped machines and done basic troubleshooting
  • You have a CDL in case equipment needs to be moved

Whatโ€™s In It For You:

Role-Specific Perks

  • Company truck provided for work use
  • Paid from clock-in to clock-out, including travel time

Tools & Technology

  • Work with modern equipment, including a full fleet of new trucks and machines, GPS on four units, and data collector for setup and layout.
  • Use practical software tools that support efficiency, including estimating and scheduling programs, GPS integration, and CloudRig for production tracking and field performance visibility.
  • Be part of a company thatโ€™s constantly upgrading and improving systems, including the relaunch of CloudRig to better fit how our team works.
Stability & Local Work
  • Enjoy steady, year-round work within an hour of Turbotville, PA. No long-distance travel or seasonal layoffs.
  • Our tight-knit crew sticks together, with most team members having two or more years here, a consistency thatย keeps training light and productivity high.
Pay & Benefits
  • Company-provided work shirts, hard hats, and gear allowance for Ariat Crew apparel.
  • Full health coverage (single through family), plus vision, life insurance, and shortย and long-term disability.
  • Company-paid retirement: We contribute $1.50 per hour worked, whether you contribute or not.
  • 10 paid holidays and 5 days of vacation to start.
  • Annual performance bonuses with plans for a structured system that ties rewards to measurable results.
Culture & Growth
  • Be part of a family-run company where the owners stay hands-on and involved.
  • Join a team that values stability, respect, and collaboration. People here know each other, and it shows in the way we work.
  • Follow a clear learning pathway with transparent pay ranges, expectations, and advancement steps.
  • Get regular feedback and recognition, without unnecessary formality. Raises and reviews happen naturally as performance grows.


ย 


We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and creating an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We comply with all applicable laws governing EEO and affirmative action and ensure that all employment decisions are made solely based on job-related qualifications and merit.

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