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Heavy Equipment Operator 3 Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Heavy Equipment Operator

Williston, ND ยท On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Here at 3 Forks services, it is our mission to provide the highest quality service to our customers ... We are currently seeking a Heavy Equipment Operator to join our growing organization. In this ...

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Heavy Equipment Operator 3 information

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$33

How much do heavy equipment operator 3 jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for heavy equipment operator 3 in the United States is $23.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.47 and $26.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a heavy equipment operator 3?

Heavy Equipment Operator 3s are skilled professionals who operate and maintain large machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, and loaders, typically on construction sites or in industrial settings. The '3' designation usually indicates a higher level of experience or seniority, meaning these operators may handle more complex equipment or supervisory responsibilities. They are responsible for ensuring that machinery is operated safely and efficiently, performing routine maintenance, and sometimes training less experienced operators. Their work is essential for tasks such as earthmoving, grading, and site preparation on major construction projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a heavy equipment operator 3?

To thrive as a Heavy Equipment Operator 3, you need advanced knowledge of operating various heavy machinery, a high school diploma or equivalent, and relevant operator certifications. Familiarity with GPS machine control systems, maintenance tools, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help operators excel in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring safe, efficient, and precise operation on construction and industrial job sites.

What are some typical challenges faced by a heavy equipment operator 3 and how can they be addressed?

Heavy Equipment Operator 3s often encounter challenges such as operating complex machinery in varying weather and terrain conditions, ensuring safety compliance, and coordinating with other site personnel. Staying up-to-date on equipment maintenance procedures and safety protocols helps minimize risks. Effective communication with supervisors and crew members is also essential to avoid project delays and ensure tasks are completed efficiently. Continuous training and attention to detail are key to overcoming these challenges and excelling in the role.

What is the difference between Heavy Equipment Operator 3 vs Heavy Equipment Operator 2?

AspectHeavy Equipment Operator 3Heavy Equipment Operator 2
CertificationsTypically requires CDL and specialized equipment certificationsMay require basic equipment operation certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, mining, heavy infrastructure projectsSimilar environments but with less complex tasks
Job ResponsibilitiesOperate advanced machinery, supervise lower-level operators, perform maintenanceOperate standard machinery, assist in site tasks

Heavy Equipment Operator 3 roles involve operating more complex machinery, requiring additional certifications and experience. They often oversee lower-level operators and handle more demanding tasks. In contrast, Heavy Equipment Operator 2 positions focus on standard equipment operation with fewer supervisory duties. Both roles are common in construction and industrial settings, but the level of responsibility and skill differs.

Which heavy equipment operator 3 job pays the most?

Heavy Equipment Operator 3 positions with specialized skills, such as operating large machinery like cranes or bulldozers, tend to offer higher salaries. Factors influencing pay include experience, certifications, and the industry or project complexity, with roles in construction, mining, or oil and gas often providing the highest compensation.
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What cities are hiring for Heavy Equipment Operator 3 jobs?

Cities with the most Heavy Equipment Operator 3 job openings:

What states have the most Heavy Equipment Operator 3 jobs?

States with the most job openings for Heavy Equipment Operator 3 jobs include:

Infographic showing various Heavy Equipment Operator 3 job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,330 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Highway Construction Heavy Equipment Operator

CMES, Inc.

Norcross, GA โ€ข On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Vision insurance

Welcome to CMES INC, a leading player in the heavy highway construction industry. With a rich history spanning over 25 years, we have firmly established ourselves as a reputable and innovative force in the field of infrastructure development. At CMES INC, we take immense pride in our commitment to building and maintaining the critical transportation networks that keep communities connected and businesses thriving.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary/ObjectiveThe heavy equipment operator shall possess skills to operate a variety of contractor equipment and trucks used in construction, maintenance and repair activities and performs a variety of semiskilled tasks in the maintenance of light, street, and storm drainage systems.
Heavy Equipment Operator Level I Essential Functions
1. Operates trucks of various sizes and weights in the loading, hauling, and unloading of various equipment, materials, and supplies.
2. Must be competent in safety, understanding the Excavation guidelines as defined by OSHA.
3. Basic operational techniques of trucks and construction or power equipment, such as mechanized broom, man-lift, dump truck, hydraulic excavators, skid steers.
4. Operates jackhammers, mowers, brush chippers and other small equipment and tools to maintain street and utility systems.
5. Shoot grades.
6. Works with and assists the line crew in digging ditches and trenches, hoisting material, tools, equipment, and any related work with a backhoe, road grater or front-end loader.
7. Performs routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and refers defects or repairs to the supervisor; cleans equipment.
8. Assists in the installing and maintenance of traffic control devices.
9. Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards.
Preferred Education and Experience for Level I Operator
โ€ข 1-3 years of previous Heavy Equipment and Construction Experience
Heavy Equipment Operator Level II Essential Functions
1. Operates trucks of various sizes and weights in the loading, hauling, and unloading of various equipment, materials, and supplies.
2. Must be competent in safety, understanding the Excavation guidelines as defined by OSHA.
3. Operates trucks and construction or power equipment, such as mechanized broom, backhoe, man-lift, dump truck, road grater, front-end loader, hydraulic excavators, skid steers, scrapers, and dozer.
4. Operates jackhammers, mowers, brush chippers and other small equipment and tools to maintain street and utility systems.
5. Works with and assists the line crew in digging ditches and trenches, hoisting material, tools, equipment, and any related work with a backhoe, and front-end loader.
6. Performs routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and refers defects or repairs to the supervisor; cleans equipment.
7. Assists in the installing and maintenance of traffic control devices.
8. Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards.
9. GPS
10. Shoot grades and perform necessary math.
11. Identify soil classification.
Preferred Education and Experience for Level II Operator
  • 3 - 6 years of previous Heavy Equipment and Construction Experience.

Heavy Equipment Operator Level III Essential Functions
1. Operates trucks of various sizes and weights in the loading, hauling, and unloading of various equipment, materials, and supplies.
2. Operates trucks and construction or power equipment, such as mechanized broom, man-lift, dump truck, road grater, front-end loader, hydraulic excavators, dozers, excavators, Motor graders, Backhoes, skid steers and inductor truck.
3. Operates jackhammers, mowers, brush chippers and other small equipment and tools to maintain street and utility systems.
4. Shoot grades.
5. Works with and assists the line crew in digging ditches and trenches, hoisting material, tools, equipment, and any related work with a backhoe, and front-end loader.
6. Performs routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and refers defects or repairs to the supervisor; cleans equipment.
7. Assists in the installing and maintenance of traffic control devices.
8. Plows snow and salts roads according to departmental policy.
9. Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards.
10. Finishing and grading functions
11. GPS
12. Shoot grades and perform necessary math.
13. Interpret Civil Drawings
14. Identify soil classifications.
Preferred Education and Experience for Level III Operator
  • 3 - 6 years of previous Heavy Equipment and Construction Experience

Heavy Equipment Operator Level IV Essential Functions
1. Operates trucks of various sizes and weights in the loading, hauling, and unloading of various equipment, materials and supplies. Non CDL
2. Must be competent in safety understanding the Excavation guidelines as defined by OSHA.
3. Operates trucks and construction or power equipment, such as mechanized broom, backhoe, man-lift, dump truck, road grater, front- end loader, hydraulic excavators, skid steers, motor graders, excavators, dozers.
4. Operates jackhammers, mowers, brush chippers and other small equipment and tools to maintain street and utility systems.
5. Shoot grades.
6. Works with and assists the line crew in digging ditches and trenches, hoisting material, tools, equipment, and any related work with a backhoe, road grater or front-end loader.
7. Performs routine inspection and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment and refers defects or repairs to the supervisor; cleans equipment.
8. Assists in the installing and maintenance of traffic control devices.
9. Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards.
10. Finishing and grading
11. Shoot grades and perform necessary math.
12. GPS
13. Interpret Civil Drawings
14. Identify soil classifications.
Preferred Education and Experience for Level IV Operator
  • 10 - 15 years of previous Heavy Equipment and Construction Experience

Competencies
1. Technical Capacity.
2. Time Management.
3. Thoroughness.
4. Customer/Client Focus.
5. Good communication skills
6. Attention to detail.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervision responsibilities.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risks of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk, and listen. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste, and smell.
The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Travel
Local travel to various worksites is required.
Required Education and Experience
1. Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
2. Four years' experience involving the use of medium and heavy equipment, two of which must have been related to utility or street systems.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
1. Valid CDL License.
Benefits:
  • Competitive compensation package
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Retirement savings plan
  • Training and development opportunities
  • Career advancement potential
  • A positive and inclusive work environment

At CMES INC, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of growth, diversity, and innovation. If you are ready to be part of a team that makes a meaningful impact on infrastructure development, we invite you to join us in our mission to build a better tomorrow through heavy highway construction.
EEOC Statement
CMES, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer M/F/V/H/AA. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. CMES, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran, and without regard to any other characteristic, protected by applicable law, all in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. CMES, Inc. complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, classification, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, job training, and other aspects of employment.
Compensation: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
CMES, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer M/F/V/H/AA. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. CMES, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran, and without regard to any other characteristic, protected by applicable law, all in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. CMES, Inc. complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, placement, classification, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, job training, and other aspects of employment
CMES Inc. was founded in February 1996 by professional civil engineers. The initial operations of CMES Inc. were conducted from their home in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The founders were only employees for a time, working diligently to obtain and complete projects within budget and on time as per contract specifications.
Today, we are still young, but also an aggressive company comprised of experienced professionals from the engineering, design, analysis, construction, and project management fields. We have grown to a workforce of over 300 dedicated employees and a fleet of more than 400 heavy construction equipment and vehicles. Our corporate office is located on a 67,000 square foot facility which houses contracts, estimating, administrating, accounting, human resources, and our fleet departments. CMES Inc. ranks among the Top 5 Heavy Highway Contractors based in Atlanta. In turn, the company has grown steadily over the years which is evidenced by revenues exceeding $100M.
Certifications from various entities in the Metro-Atlanta area are held by CMES Inc. and include DOT certifications, MBE and EBO/ABE.