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Excavator Operator Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Equipment Operator

San Bernardino, CA

$20 - $27.25/hr

Cass Arrieta is seeking EXPERIENCED Underground Loader and Excavation Operators . Minimum 2 years experience in Underground Utilities, Excavation, and Backfill. If you do not have 2 or more years of ...

Operator

Brea, CA · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Coordinate with vac truck operators and support crews during excavation and installation activities * Install fiber optic pathways, conduit, and microduct systems * Read and interpret construction ...

Coordinate with vac truck operators and support crews during excavation and installation activities * Install fiber optic pathways, conduit, and microduct systems * Read and interpret construction ...

Operator

Brea, CA

$25 - $28/hr

Coordinate with vac truck operators and support crews during excavation and installation activities * Install fiber optic pathways, conduit, and microduct systems * Read and interpret construction ...

Purpose The Equipment Operator has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job ... Skid-steel, backhoe, excavators experience required. * Monitors equipment condition for regular ...

Purpose The Equipment Operator has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job ... Skid-steel, backhoe, excavators experience required. * Monitors equipment condition for regular ...

Purpose The Equipment Operator has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job ... Skid-steel, backhoe, excavators experience required. * Monitors equipment condition for regular ...

Equipment Operator

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Description Team Fishel , the Best Choice Employer in utility construction since 1936, is hiring Directional Drill and Excavating Equipment Operators at our Santa Ana, CA (Orange County area) office.

Coordinate with vac truck operators and support crews during excavation and installation activities * Install fiber optic pathways, conduit, and microduct systems * Read and interpret construction ...

Heavy Equipment Operator

Corona, CA · On-site

$38 - $56/hr

Used for excavating ditches, structures, and mass excavations, laying pipe and precast concrete ... Signals operators of construction equipment to facilitate alignment, movement, and materials with ...

New

Front Loader Motor-Grader Bulldozer Excavator Skid Steer Experienced operators are encouraged to apply! General Accountabilities Operate and maintain yard equipment safely and efficiently. Handle ...

Front Loader Motor-Grader Bulldozer Excavator Skid Steer Experienced operators are encouraged to apply! General Accountabilities Operate and maintain yard equipment safely and efficiently. Handle ...

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Excavator Operator information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$14

$27

$43

How much do excavator operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for excavator operator in Riverside, CA is $27.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.55 and $29.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do they pay an excavator operator?

Excavator operators typically earn between $20 and $30 per hour, with annual salaries ranging from approximately $40,000 to $60,000 depending on experience, location, and certifications. Skilled operators with specialized equipment or in high-demand areas may earn higher wages.

What is the difference between Excavator Operator vs Backhoe Operator?

AspectExcavator OperatorBackhoe Operator
CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL) often preferred, OSHA safety trainingSimilar certifications, often OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, heavy machinery operationConstruction sites, utility work, landscaping
Job DutiesDigging, lifting, demolition with large excavatorsDigging trenches, loading, small-scale excavation
Industry UsageHeavy construction, mining, infrastructureConstruction, landscaping, utility companies

While both Excavator Operators and Backhoe Operators work in construction and use similar safety certifications, Excavator Operators typically handle larger machinery for heavy-duty tasks, whereas Backhoe Operators focus on smaller-scale digging and loading. The choice depends on project size and equipment used.

What does an excavator operator do?

An Excavator Operator is responsible for operating heavy machinery called excavators to move earth, dig trenches, lift materials, and perform site preparation on construction projects. They control the excavator’s boom, bucket, and other attachments with precision to complete tasks safely and efficiently. Excavator Operators also perform routine equipment maintenance, follow safety protocols, and collaborate with site supervisors and other workers. Their work is crucial in building foundations, roads, pipelines, and other infrastructure.

How do you get a job as an excavator operator?

To become an excavator operator, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with specialized training or certification in operating heavy machinery. Gaining experience through apprenticeships or entry-level positions and obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL) can also improve job prospects.

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

To thrive as an Excavator Operator, you need a solid understanding of heavy equipment operation, safety protocols, and often a high school diploma or equivalent with relevant operator certifications. Familiarity with GPS guidance systems, maintenance software, and various models of excavators is typically required. Attention to detail, spatial awareness, and effective communication are important soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate operation on construction sites, minimizing risks and maximizing productivity.

What are some common challenges faced by excavator operators on construction sites?

Excavator Operators often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, navigating tight or uneven spaces, and coordinating with other heavy equipment to maintain safety and efficiency. Managing unexpected underground obstacles and ensuring accurate digging according to site plans also requires strong attention to detail. Effective communication with site supervisors and other crew members is essential to minimize delays and prevent accidents, making teamwork a critical aspect of the role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Excavator Operator jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Excavator Operator jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Excavator Operator jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Excavator Operator jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Excavator Operator jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Excavator Operator job openings:
Infographic showing various Excavator Operator job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,762 per year, or $27.3 per hour.

Excavator Equipment Operator

Thompson Pipe Group

Rialto, CA • On-site

$26/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Thompson Pipe Group rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Excavator Equipment Operator



Thompson Pipe Group is looking for a Excavator Equipment Operator.

Starting Pay: $26.00/hour


Who We are:

Thompson Pipe Group is a privately held family business of engineers, contractors, and manufacturers based in Rialto, California. From our humble beginnings, we built a family of products to meet the needs of all kinds of infrastructure. Each generation of products is better than the previous.

Thompson Pipe Group is now the largest and most diverse drainage, sanitary, pressure and trench-less pipe provider, with manufacturing locations across the country and serving not just the US but all North America.

Please visit our website at www.thompsonpipegroup.com.



ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Duties include but are not limited to the following:

  • Practice safety in your every move, estimating weights and distances, being fully aware of your surroundings, doing your part to minimize hazards and reporting any injuries or damage immediately
  • Determine methods and needs project equipment with onsite Crew leader to procure equipment;
  • Inspect heavy equipment and handle preventive maintenance daily
  • Operate equipment productively for shift every day in all weather and ground conditions
  • Operate heavy equipment like sand trucks, bobcats, forklifts, cranes
  • Load and unload construction materials, waste, and other heavy objects from trucks and into dumpsters either manually or with the assistance of a machine;
  • Change attachments, adjust, verify information, and troubleshoot problems;
  • Store and clean machinery at its designated location and complete work reports at the end of each working day;
  • Operate concrete saws, portable concrete mixers, air compressors, pneumatic drills and tampers, hand tools and gas power trimmers, chainsaws, track loaders, mowers, trucks, street sweepers, backhoes, pump trucks, and dump trucks
  • Always follow safety procedures
  • Load and unload various materials


Physical Demands & Work Environment

  • Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision, and hearing.
  • Requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations.
  • Requires activities involving being around moving machinery, exposure to changes in temperature, exposure to dust and fumes.
  • Use of ear plugs and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) – such as hard hat, steel-toes boots, gloves, and safety glasses as required.
  • The work environment is not climate controlled and subject to outdoor weather conditions. Team members are exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting.


Qualifications:

  • Dependable: willing and able to work up to 6 days per week, up to 12 hours per day in extreme circumstances
  • Must have a safety-first attitude
  • Major responsibilities will be to load and unload concrete pipes from flatbed trucks
  • Must have a valid driver’s license
  • Must be able to operate a wide range of lift trucks ranging in capacity from 10,000 lbs. to 110,000 lbs.
  • Previous experience operating a large forklift a plus (36,000 or more)
  • Bilingual a plus (Spanish/English)
  • Flexible, able to multi-task and to support multiple areas
  • Organized, able to maintain documentation as well as yarding product
  • Strong communication skills
  • High School Diploma or G.E.D.



Must pass Pre-employment Physical and drug test.

Not A Warehouse Job. Precast Concrete Pipes is what we do.

What We Offer

  • Medical, Vision and Dental, Life Benefits
  • Life & Supplement Life
  • Company Matched 401K retirement plan
  • Vacation & Sick Leave
  • Training and Development
  • Career Opportunity!
  • $1,000.00 Referral Bonus


Apply Now!

We are located at 3009 N Laurel Avenue Rialto, CA 92377


Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and

responsibilities to this job at any time.


The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.


Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions upon request.


Thompson pipe group is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer that welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or another legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.


Drug-free workplace.


EOE/AA – M/F/Vet/Disability





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