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Heavy Equipment Operator Union Jobs in Decatur, IL

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Lincoln, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Mechanic/Shop Leader

Decatur, IL · On-site

$75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... heavy equipment maintenance and repair. You'll be at the desk as well as in the engines! If you ... Reconcile operating accounts and records including reconciling sales with cash and receipts.

Floater

Sullivan, IL · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience operating woodworking or production equipment * Listening and communication skills ... Operation of heavy equipment. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: * Occasional exposure to high temperatures ...

Packager

Sullivan, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment on an occasional basis. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: * Occasional exposure to high temperatures during summer months. * Occasional exposure to noisy ...

Showing results 41-60

Heavy Equipment Operator Union information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$13

$23

$32

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

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for heavy equipment operator union in Decatur, IL is $23.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.89 and $26.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a heavy equipment operator union?

Heavy Equipment Operator Union jobs involve operating large machinery such as bulldozers, cranes, excavators, and loaders on construction sites, roadways, and other infrastructure projects. These operators are members of a labor union, which provides collective bargaining for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Union membership often requires completing an apprenticeship program and adhering to safety and operational standards set by both the union and employers. Working as a union heavy equipment operator can provide job security, access to training, and advancement opportunities within the industry.

What does a heavy equipment operator union member do?

A union heavy equipment operator controls machinery during construction, paving, or industrial projects. In this career, you are a member of a labor union, which is an organization that negotiates contracts and ensures employees’ rights through legal assistance and collective bargaining. Your duties include the operation of equipment, such as bulldozers, cranes, backhoes, graders, drills, and other machinery used to build structures, pave roads, or perform demolition tasks. You coordinate with supervisors and crews to ensure that you operate your equipment safely. Your responsibilities also include equipment maintenance and transporting machinery to the worksite, depending on the size of the machine.

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

To thrive as a Heavy Equipment Operator Union member, you need proficiency in operating and maintaining machinery like bulldozers, excavators, and loaders, often backed by a high school diploma and completion of a union apprenticeship. Familiarity with GPS systems, safety protocols (like OSHA regulations), and relevant equipment certifications are typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, teamwork, and a commitment to safety are essential soft skills. These skills and qualifications ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality work on construction sites, supporting both personal safety and project success.

What are some typical challenges faced by heavy equipment operators working in union environments, and how can they be managed?

Heavy Equipment Operators in unionized settings often encounter challenges such as adapting to variable work sites, following strict safety protocols, and coordinating with large, multidisciplinary teams. Navigating shift rotations and adhering to union rules regarding overtime and seniority can also be complex. Successful operators proactively communicate with supervisors and colleagues, stay updated on safety training, and participate in union meetings to remain informed about workplace rights and changes. Embracing ongoing training and maintaining flexibility helps operators manage these challenges while advancing their careers.

What is the difference between Heavy Equipment Operator Union vs Crane Operator?

AspectHeavy Equipment Operator UnionCrane Operator
CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL), OSHA certificationsCrane operator certification, OSHA certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, mining, infrastructure projectsConstruction sites, industrial settings, shipping yards
Employer & IndustryUnionized construction and mining companiesConstruction firms, shipping companies, industrial plants

Both Heavy Equipment Operators and Crane Operators often require OSHA certifications and work in construction or industrial environments. While they share similar credentials and work settings, Heavy Equipment Operators typically handle bulldozers, loaders, and excavators, whereas Crane Operators specialize in operating cranes for lifting heavy loads. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right career path within the heavy machinery industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Heavy Equipment Operator jobs in Decatur, IL?

The most popular types of Heavy Equipment Operator jobs in Decatur, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Heavy Equipment Operator Union jobs in Decatur, IL?

For Heavy Equipment Operator Union jobs in Decatur, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Heavy Equipment Operator Union jobs?

Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Heavy Equipment Operator Union job openings:

Infographic showing various Heavy Equipment Operator Union job openings in Decatur, IL 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 $47,848 per year, or $23 per hour.

Millwright Austin Industrial Decatur, IL West

Austin Bridge & Raod, LP

Decatur, IL • On-site

$24.50 - $32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago


Austin Industries rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 80 rated construction


Job description

Millwright

Must be able to install, repair, replace and dismantle the machinery and heavy equipment used in industrial settings. This is accomplished by performing the following essential duties and responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Replace defective parts of machine or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.
  • Align machines and equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, and plumb bobs.
  • Connect power unit to machines or steam piping to equipment, and test unit to evaluate its mechanical operation.
  • Repair and lubricate machines and equipment.
  • Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Position steel beams to support bedplates of machines and equipment, using blueprints and schematic drawings, to determine work procedures.
  • Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate and align unit to centerline.
  • Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.
  • Move machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks. 
  • Attach moving parts and subassemblies to basic assembly unit, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Assemble machines, and bolt, weld, rivet, or otherwise fasten them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools.
  • Lay out mounting holes, using measuring instruments, and drill holes with power drill.
  • Bolt parts, such as side and deck plates, jaw plates, and journals, to basic assembly unit.
  • Level bedplate and establish centerline, using straightedge, levels, and transit.
  • Dismantle machines, using hammers, wrenches, crowbars, and other hand tools.
  • Shrink-fit bushings, sleeves, rings, liners, gears, and wheels to specified items, using portable gas heating equipment.
  • Dismantle machinery and equipment for shipment to installation site, usually performing installation and maintenance work as part of team.
  • Construct foundation for machines, using hand tools and building materials such as wood, cement, and steel.
  • Operate engine lathe to grind, file, and turn machine parts to dimensional specifications.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required for this Position:

Education – no minimum education requirements.

Experience – 3-5 years of Journeyman level experience.

Benefits & Compensation

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, and a matching 401K plan. We are proud to be a 100% Employee-Owned Company (ESOP)! To learn more about our employee-ownership structure, please go to https://www.austin-ind.com/our-company/100-employee-owned.

Austin Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

See the “Know Your Rights” poster available in English and Spanish.

About Austin Industries

 Austin Industries and its operating companies engage in almost every type of civil, commercial and industrial construction. Austin is owned entirely by its employees through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Austin Industries has a rich history. We are one of the largest and most diversified construction firms in the nation. Austin stands on the core values of Uncompromising Integrity, Employee-ownership, Exemplary Service and Excellence in Safety.

To learn more about our history, culture and operations, visit us at www.austin-ind.com.

No Third-Party Inquiries Please

 This Company does not accept and will not consider unsolicited resumes or any other unsolicited candidate information submitted to the Company or any of its employee-owners by staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters in response to a posted vacancy. The Company will not pay any placement fee(s) without a written agreement to do so (i.e., payment must be required pursuant to the terms of a written agreement). 

Any unsolicited resumes or candidate information submitted to this Company or any of its employee-owners becomes the property of the Company.

Accessibility Note

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs or have accessibility concerns, please contact the People Services Team at (877) 831-1217.


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