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Excavator Driver Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Roto-Rooter

Excavator Operator

Livermore, CA · On-site

$17 - $24/hr

Overview Excavator Operator Founded in 1935, Roto-Rooter is North America's largest plumbing, drain ... Possession of a current CDL Class A license for this position. * Trenchless water, sewer & gas ...

Island Excavation Inc

Be Seen First

Excavation Laborer

South Lake Tahoe, CA · On-site

$30 - $35/hr

Looking for a dependable, hard working candidate with a valid drivers license to assist crews with ... Company Description A Family-owned Excavation Company based in South Lake Tahoe CA. If your looking ...

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Excavator Driver information

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$41

How much do excavator driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for excavator driver in California is $25.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.35 and $28.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an excavator driver?

An Excavator Driver operates heavy machinery to dig, move, and load earth, rocks, or other materials on construction and excavation sites. They follow site plans, safety protocols, and instructions to ensure accurate and efficient work. Responsibilities may include trenching, grading, and demolition tasks. Skilled operation, equipment maintenance, and adherence to safety regulations are essential for this role.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an excavator driver on a construction site?

As an Excavator Driver, your daily tasks generally include operating an excavator to move earth or materials, digging trenches, backfilling, and supporting site preparation activities as directed by supervisors. You’ll perform routine safety checks and minor maintenance on your equipment, and often coordinate closely with site managers, ground workers, and other equipment operators to ensure smooth workflow. Adapting to changing site conditions, following strict safety regulations, and maintaining productivity are important aspects of the job. These responsibilities combine technical skill with practical problem-solving to keep projects on schedule and safe.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the excavator driver position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Excavator Driver, you need strong spatial awareness, manual dexterity, and experience handling heavy machinery, often supported by a high school diploma and a relevant operator’s license or certification. Familiarity with excavation equipment, safety protocols, and sometimes GPS or laser-guided systems is typically required. Attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to work collaboratively with site teams are valuable soft skills. These competencies ensure safety, efficiency, and successful project completion on construction and excavation sites.

How to get a job driving an excavator?

To get a job as an excavator driver, you typically need a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) or specialized excavator certification, along with experience operating heavy machinery. Gaining hands-on experience through apprenticeships or entry-level positions and demonstrating safety awareness are important steps in securing employment in this field.

What are popular job titles related to Excavator Driver jobs in California?

For Excavator Driver jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Excavator Driver jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Excavator Driver jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Excavator Driver jobs?

Cities in California with the most Excavator Driver job openings:

Excavator Driver jobs near you
Infographic showing various Excavator Driver job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $53,695 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Excavator Operator

Livermore, CA • On-site

Roto-Rooter
Construction • 1 - 5K employees

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

202nd of 283 rated repair and maintenance companies

People enjoy working here

Respectful managers

Learn more about Roto-Rooterexternal

$17 - $24/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Overview
Excavator Operator
Founded in 1935, Roto-Rooter is North America's largest plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services provider. Roto-Rooter operates businesses in over 100 company-owned branches, independent contractor territories, and approximately 400 independent franchise operations, serving approximately 90% of the U.S. population and parts of Canada.
If job security, top pay, excellent benefits, and career advancement representing a well-known national brand are what you're looking for, Roto-Rooter is the company for you. We pride ourselves on being a great place to work, providing excellent pay, flexible work schedules and top benefits.
We are growing and have an excellent opportunity for a Skilled Heavy Equipment Operator, especially backhoe and/mini excavator for sewer & water service repairs/replacements at our East Bay branch, located in Livermore, CA. The average earnings for this position are between $75,000-$100,000, depending on experience.
Responsibilities
  • Operates back-hoe, mini-excavator, skid steers, and/or other excavation machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials on residential and commercial job sites.
  • Load, unload and secure equipment on transport trailers according to guidelines.
  • Follow OSHA and Roto-Rooter safety procedures.
  • Work collaboratively with a crew to efficiently complete excavation work on various projects.
  • Interact with customers as needed, providing excellent customer service and addressing their requirements professionally.
  • Maintain excavation equipment and gather all necessary equipment from the branch and/or rental companies to ensure smooth operations during excavation tasks.
  • Perform excavation work in confined spaces and open trenches, adhering to safety protocols and guidelines.
  • Locate and arrive at job sites promptly, ensuring safe driving and operation of service vehicles between locations.
Requirements
  • Essential requirement: Construction experience in both residential and commercial projects.
  • Mandatory requirement: Possession of a current CDL Class A license for this position.
  • Trenchless water, sewer & gas experience is a plus.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends, as required for the role.
  • Complete jobs within specified timelines.
Service technicians are paid an hourly rate of $17.00 to $24.00 during training. After training, they are paid an hourly rate at or above the minimum wage for all hours worked. The hourly pay rate may vary, depending on whether the pay is for base pay paid at the employee's base hourly rate (minimum wage), or administrative pay for administrative hours worked (between minimum wage and $77.92) . Service technicians also have the potential to earn commissions at the rate of 16-22% of revenue depending on the revenue category. Commissions ranging from $10 to $139 can also be earned for selling products and treatments.
Benefits
At Roto-Rooter we believe our greatest investment is in our employees. We prioritize the health and well-being of our team and their families. That's why we offer an extensive employee benefit package including:
  • Medical insurance with a Prescription Drug Card
  • Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Training
  • Life Insurance
  • Matching 401K Retirement Savings Plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Profit Sharing

Roto-Rooter offers excellent career paths for military veterans and personnel transitioning to civilian professions. Throughout our 86 years in business, we've found that military training and structure are a great fit at our company.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, age, national origin, veteran status, military status, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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