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Land Grading information

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$33.5K

$105.6K

$184K

How much do land grading jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for land grading in the United States is $105,585.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What landscape job pays the most?

In the landscape industry, landscape architects and project managers often earn the highest salaries, especially with experience and advanced certifications. Land grading specialists with specialized skills in excavation, soil management, and heavy equipment operation can also command higher wages, particularly in large commercial projects. Overall, managerial and specialized roles tend to have the highest pay in landscape-related jobs.

What is a land grading contractor?

A land grading contractor is a construction professional who specializes in leveling and shaping land surfaces to ensure proper drainage, stability, and preparation for construction or landscaping projects. They use equipment like bulldozers and graders and often require knowledge of soil types and grading plans. Certification and adherence to local regulations are typically necessary for this role.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Land grading jobs typically do not pay $4,000 a week without experience or specialized skills. High-paying roles that can reach this level without a degree are rare and often involve sales, entrepreneurship, or skilled trades like plumbing or electrical work, which may require certifications but not necessarily a college degree.

What are some common challenges faced by land grading professionals on construction sites?

Land grading professionals often encounter challenges such as working with uneven or unstable soil conditions, managing drainage to prevent future water issues, and ensuring compliance with local regulations and project specifications. Coordination with other site contractors, such as surveyors and excavation crews, is crucial to maintain timelines and accuracy. Being adaptable and detail-oriented helps address unexpected site conditions while keeping the project on schedule.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

Land grading is typically a mid-level construction role and does not usually pay $500,000 annually. High-paying jobs in the US that can reach or exceed this level include specialized roles such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, corporate executives, and successful entrepreneurs, often requiring advanced skills, extensive experience, and certifications. Most jobs in land grading or construction tend to have lower salary ranges, with top executives and specialized medical professionals earning the highest incomes.

What is the difference between Land Grading vs Excavator Operator?

AspectLand GradingExcavator Operator
Primary RoleLeveling and shaping land surfaces for construction or landscapingOperating excavators for digging, lifting, and moving materials
Required SkillsSurveying, grading techniques, knowledge of soil typesMachine operation, safety protocols, equipment maintenance
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, landscaping projectsConstruction sites, demolition, excavation projects
CertificationsHeavy equipment operation, grading certifications often preferredHeavy equipment operation licenses, excavator certification

While both roles involve heavy machinery, Land Grading focuses on preparing land surfaces for construction or landscaping, requiring knowledge of grading techniques. Excavator Operators primarily operate excavators for digging and material movement. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What is land grading?

Land grading is the process of leveling or sloping the ground to prepare a construction site, improve drainage, or prevent erosion. It involves removing or adding soil to create the desired landscape contours. Proper land grading ensures water flows away from structures, helping to avoid flooding and foundation problems. This process is commonly used for building sites, landscaping projects, and agricultural land preparation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Land Grading Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Land Grading Operator, you need expertise in operating heavy equipment, interpreting site plans, and understanding soil composition, often supported by a high school diploma or vocational training. Familiarity with GPS machine control systems, laser levels, and construction safety certifications like OSHA are typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and problem-solving abilities set top performers apart in this field. These skills ensure precise land preparation, project efficiency, and safety on construction sites.
More about Land Grading jobs
What cities are hiring for Land Grading jobs? Cities with the most Land Grading job openings:
What states have the most Land Grading jobs? States with the most job openings for Land Grading jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Land Grading jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Land Grading jobs are:
Land Grading jobs near you
Infographic showing various Land Grading job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,585 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Director of Land Acquisition (1176)

DRB Homes

Myrtle Beach, SC

Other

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

JOB PURPOSE:

This position is responsible for the planning and directing of division land business including acquisitions, planning, design, entitlement and development. Maintaining excellent communications with appropriate public agencies, utilities, internal organization, and staff members is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Duties and Responsibilities

Land Acquisition

  • Identify opportunities for land and lot acquisition
  • Negotiate, acquire and entitle the land necessary to meet company goals and projections; prospect for potential land acquisition opportunities
  • Establishes broker/seller relationships
  • Analyzes land development proformas
  • Handles bond submittals and reimbursements
  • Drafts and submits LOIs
  • Negotiate and finalize contracts for targeted acquisitions while preforming due diligence tasks and presenting to corporate land committee for approval
  • Maintain reports, critical target dates, contract summaries and periodic market analysis
  • Network with other builders and developers to maintain market awareness, develop contacts and provide information necessary for the division to be a strong competitor
  • Coordinate the activity of engineers, land planners, architects and general contractors in the development of acquired properties
  • Coordinate with local, county, state and federal governmental agencies to annex, zone and otherwise secure regulatory approval for projects

 

Land Development

  • Oversees the land development function, strategic objectives and designs methodology to achieve Company goals
  • Develops the annual Land department budgets and schedules 
  • Provides leadership, direction and management of department functions, policies and procedures
  • Provides skills and expertise to the division by building, developing, and managing a land development team
  • Aligns business plans with organizational objectives
  • Establish and foster professional relationships with state, county and city inspectors and officials to maximize productivity of development sites
  • This position has sole responsibility for preparing land for lot subdividing by consulting with engineers; soliciting, analyzing, and awarding bids, arranging for land grading, installing streets, curbs and gutters, controlling costs and scrutinizing contracts
  • Prepare bid packages and negotiate all land development contracts for this region while overseeing this same function for the company
  • Inspect development site to ensure site is progressing according to plan and schedule; maintain a job activity log and produce weekly reports
  • Manage development costs; ensure costs are within budget constraints
  • Assist with application and securing bond and permits; follow up on bond reductions
  • Review and comprehend engineering drawings with emphasis on cost reductions
  • Coordinate resolution of land development issues affecting house construction (e.g. structural pads, paving, sediment control, lot balance)
  • Resolve and follow-up on development issues when community is closed out
  • Maintain and monitor proper subdivision appearance

Land Entitlement

  • Manage land purchases through entitlement processes; provide information for and participate in the coordination of land acquisition packages
  • Assess site viability and provide information where appropriate
  • Interface with homeowner’s association, as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge and Skills

  • A demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others
  • An ability to think ahead and plan over a 1-2-year time span as well as a long range 5-year time frame
  • The ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
  • Problem analysis/resolution skills at the strategic and functional level
  • Evaluation of the staff group structure and team plan for continual improvement of efficiency and effectiveness of the group as well as providing individuals with professional and personal growth
  • Must have high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy
  • Must have knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing and spreadsheets (MSWord, Excel)
  • Strong land negotiation and contract skills
  • Knowledge of market trends, pricing, growth and supply
  • Knowledge of local, county, state and federal regulations
  • Broad functional experience in areas of blueprints and specifications, general knowledge of homebuilding financials and systems

Education and Work Experience

  • Bachelor's Degree in related field and minimum 7 years experience within the homebuilding industry with concentration in Land & Entitlement OR equivalent combination of education and/or work experience
  • Exposure to residential homebuilding or land development environment is required

Apply