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$24

$38

How much do excavator owner operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for excavator owner operator in Arizona is $24.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.14 and $26.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do excavator owner operators earn?

Excavator owner operators typically earn between $20 and $40 per hour, with annual incomes ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 depending on experience, location, and workload. Earnings can increase with specialized skills, certifications, and the ability to operate larger or more complex equipment.

What is an excavator owner operator?

An Excavator Owner Operator is a skilled professional who owns and operates their own excavator for various construction, demolition, or earthmoving projects. They are responsible for transporting, maintaining, and using their equipment efficiently to complete tasks such as digging trenches, clearing land, and moving heavy materials. Unlike company-employed operators, owner-operators manage their own business, secure contracts, and handle expenses like fuel, repairs, and insurance. This role requires expertise in equipment operation, strong business acumen, and adherence to safety regulations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an excavator owner operator?

Excavator Owner Operators require strong mechanical aptitude, equipment operation skills, and a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) or heavy equipment operator certification. They must be proficient in using hydraulic excavators, GPS grade control systems, and routine maintenance tools. Excellent problem-solving, time management, and communication skills help operators coordinate with crew members and manage jobsite demands effectively. These competencies are vital for operating safely, maximizing equipment lifespan, and delivering quality results on construction and excavation projects.

Where do excavator owner operators make the most money?

Excavator owner operators tend to earn higher wages in regions with high construction activity, such as urban areas with ongoing infrastructure projects. States or provinces with strong construction industries and higher cost of living often offer better pay, especially for those with specialized skills and certifications. Income can also vary based on experience, equipment size, and the complexity of projects undertaken.

Is owning an excavator profitable?

Owning an excavator as an owner-operator can be profitable if there is consistent demand for excavation services, proper maintenance, and efficient scheduling. Profitability depends on factors such as equipment costs, project rates, and operational expenses, making it essential to manage costs and secure reliable contracts. Successful operators often have relevant skills, certifications, and a good understanding of the local construction market.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an excavator owner operator?

As an Excavator Owner Operator, your daily responsibilities generally include transporting your equipment to and from job sites, performing inspections and routine maintenance, and operating the excavator to perform digging, grading, trenching, or demolition tasks as required. You will often need to read site plans or instructions, work closely with site supervisors and other contractors, and ensure all work meets safety and project specifications. Efficient time management is important as you'll often manage your own schedule and billing. The role is hands-on and physically demanding, with a strong focus on precision, safety, and coordination with other professionals to keep projects on track.

What are popular job titles related to Excavator Owner Operator jobs in Arizona? For Excavator Owner Operator jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Excavator Owner Operator jobs in Arizona look for? The top searched job categories for Excavator Owner Operator jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Excavator Owner Operator jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Excavator Owner Operator job openings:
Excavator Owner Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Excavator Owner Operator job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 52% Full Time, 46% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,702 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Heavy Equipment Operator - Excavator, Dozer, Loader, Motor Grader

SAIIA

Joseph City, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Overview

Saiia Construction, a MasTec Company, is hiring experienced Heavy Equipment Operators in Joseph City, AZ!. We have a seat ready for you if you can masterfully run Excavators (including Long Reach), Dozers, Loaders, or Motor Graders. Apply today and build your career with an industry leader!

The Heavy Equipment Operator is responsible for, but not limited to operating heavy equipment including excavator, dozers, graders, dump trucks, front-end loaders, compactors, scrapers, and water trucks to move materials to and from designated areas, participate in required training and ensure all established safety rules, procedures, policies, OSHA and MSHA regulations are followed. 

Company Overview

Founded by Sam Saiia as Birmingham Excavating Co. in 1946, the company now known as Saiia Construction is an industrial heavy civil contractor of choice for the power generation, mineral and aggregate mining, and pulp and paper markets. With more than 630 pieces of construction machinery in our fleet, over 500 employees, and experience working in 11 states, we have the resources and knowledge to complete projects of any scale. As a MasTec Company, we are poised for continued growth and an exciting future!

Saiia Construction is part of the MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure (CE&I) business segment. The CE&I segment generates over $4.5 billion in annual revenue, providing construction services across our renewables, industrial, infrastructure, and general building operating groups. Sustainability and safety are foundational to our culture and influence everything we do.

MasTec, a minority-owned Fortune 500 company, has shaped the construction industry for more than 90 years. With over 35,000 employees and 400 offices nationwide, we provide flexibility and career growth in dynamic work environments. Join one of the largest construction firms in the country (Engineering News-Record [ENR]: #1 in Power, #16 Top 50 Domestic Heavy Contractors, #13 Transportation Contractor). 


Responsibilities

Excavator Operation 

  • Operates excavator, which digs holes and trenches and removes and transports earth, gravel, and dumps soil, sand, ore, rock. gravel, and industrial byproducts, and other such materials in stockpiles or transport trucks. Starts engine, moves hand and foot levers to control hydraulic shovel or other attachments. Uses bucket to dig trenches and holes of specified length, depth, and width, remove loosened material and put in piles or transport trucks. May need to understand and utilize GPS grade technology on this type of machine.  

Bulldozer - Grader Operator 

  • Operates bulldozer or grader which is used to gouge out, level, and distribute soil, sand, ore, rock, gravel, industrial byproducts, and other such materials. Also used to push or clear trees and rocks which is preparatory to diverse types of constructing projects. On occasion fastens attachments to bulldozer or grader with clevis or wedge-pin hitches. Moves levers and depresses pedals to maneuver bulldozer or grader and raise, lower, and tilt the blade and diverse types of attachments to clear right of way. Feels levers and listens for stalling action of engine to estimate depth of cut. Operates bulldozer or grader in successive passes over terrain to raise or lower terrain to specified or designed grade or elevation. May need to understand and utilize GPS grade technology on this type of machine.  

Rock / Articulated/Dump / Roll Off Truck Driver 

  • Operates truck equipped with dump body to transport and dump loose materials, such as sand, soil, rock, gravel, coal, ore, industrial byproducts, and other such materials. Pulls levers or turns crank to tilt body and dump contents. Move hand and foot controls to move truck forward and backward to loosen and dump material adhering to dump bed body. May be designated according to type of material hauled, type of truck driven, and whether for on road or off-highway projects. 

Scraper / Tractor Operator 

  • Operates tractor-drawn or self-propelled scraper to move, haul, and grade earth on construction sites. Moves switches, levers, and pedals to control the loading gate on pan or bowl, to adjust depth of cut, to raise and close filled pan or bowl for hauling, and to spread or dump earth. Connects hydraulic hoses, belts, mechanical linkage, or power takeoff shaft to tractor to provide power to raise, lower, or tilt attachment. Moves levers to control tool bars, carriers, and disks.  

Water Truck Driver 

  • Operates a truck to transport water for construction projects, filling and transporting potable water to crews working at job sites and driving a truck equipped with sprinkling attachment to spray water on roadways to control dust. Requires the ability to make inspections, oil, grease, service and make normal operating adjustments to the Water Truck, and lift/move transported materials as needed. 


Qualifications

  • Knowledge of EPA, OSHA, MSHA and other related state and federal regulations. 

  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 

  • Ability to use email, smart phone, tablet, or computer to manage company information and documents. 

  • Ability to draft routine reports and correspondence.  

  • Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance standards per employee handbook. 

  • Approach and complete work in a meticulous, thorough, and timely manner. 

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

  • Lift/Carry 0-10 lbs.: Occasionally 
  • Lift/Carry 10-50 lbs.: Occasionally 
  • Reach Above: Occasionally
  • Bend/Stoop: Occasionally
  • Use Hands for Manipulations: Continuously
  • Vision Abilities: Close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Hearing Abilities:  Must be able to hear equipment and facility signals, horns and alarms; radio, and phone communications.

What's in it for you:

Financial Wellbeing

  • Competitive pay with ongoing performance review and merit increase
  • 401(k) with company match & Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Flexible spending account (Healthcare & Dependent care)

Health & Wellness

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (plan choice) - coverage for spouse, domestic partner, and children
  • Diabetes Management, Telehealth Coverage, Prescription Drug Plan, Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program

Planning for the Unexpected

  • Short and long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment
  • Voluntary life insurance, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity coverage
  • Emergency Travel Assistance Program
  • Group legal plan

Position may be subject to pre-employment screening, which may include background check and drug testing. Accessibility: If you need accommodation as part of the employment process, contact ceicareers@mastec.com. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to individual requests regarding application status. Please log into your candidate profile for up-to-date information. 

MasTec, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasTec's policy to comply with all applicable state, federal and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Disclaimer: MasTec and our Subsidiaries will never ask prospective employees for any form of payment or money transfer as part of job application or onboarding. We do not ask prospective employees for information about credit cards or personal passwords, and it does not require applicants to purchase equipment or software. Ensure that all recruiter email addresses end in @mastec.com or @talent.icims.com. If you suspect you are the target of a scam, we advise you to contact your local law enforcement agency and report fraud at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure and our subsidiaries do not work with any third-party recruiters or agencies without a valid signed agreement and partnership with the Corporate Talent Acquisition Team.

#LI-GR1

#LI-Onsite

Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of EPA, OSHA, MSHA and other related state and federal regulations. 

  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 

  • Ability to use email, smart phone, tablet, or computer to manage company information and documents. 

  • Ability to draft routine reports and correspondence.  

  • Must be able to maintain acceptable attendance standards per employee handbook. 

  • Approach and complete work in a meticulous, thorough, and timely manner. 

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

  • Lift/Carry 0-10 lbs.: Occasionally 
  • Lift/Carry 10-50 lbs.: Occasionally 
  • Reach Above: Occasionally
  • Bend/Stoop: Occasionally
  • Use Hands for Manipulations: Continuously
  • Vision Abilities: Close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • Hearing Abilities:  Must be able to hear equipment and facility signals, horns and alarms; radio, and phone communications.

What's in it for you:

Financial Wellbeing

  • Competitive pay with ongoing performance review and merit increase
  • 401(k) with company match & Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Flexible spending account (Healthcare & Dependent care)

Health & Wellness

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (plan choice) - coverage for spouse, domestic partner, and children
  • Diabetes Management, Telehealth Coverage, Prescription Drug Plan, Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program

Planning for the Unexpected

  • Short and long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment
  • Voluntary life insurance, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity coverage
  • Emergency Travel Assistance Program
  • Group legal plan

Position may be subject to pre-employment screening, which may include background check and drug testing. Accessibility: If you need accommodation as part of the employment process, contact ceicareers@mastec.com. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to individual requests regarding application status. Please log into your candidate profile for up-to-date information. 

MasTec, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasTec's policy to comply with all applicable state, federal and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Disclaimer: MasTec and our Subsidiaries will never ask prospective employees for any form of payment or money transfer as part of job application or onboarding. We do not ask prospective employees for information about credit cards or personal passwords, and it does not require applicants to purchase equipment or software. Ensure that all recruiter email addresses end in @mastec.com or @talent.icims.com. If you suspect you are the target of a scam, we advise you to contact your local law enforcement agency and report fraud at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure and our subsidiaries do not work with any third-party recruiters or agencies without a valid signed agreement and partnership with the Corporate Talent Acquisition Team.

#LI-GR1

#LI-Onsite

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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