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Land Grading Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Carroll Companies

Heavy Equipment Operator

Duck, NC · On-site

Execute large-scale projects such as pond construction, building pad preparation, and land grading. * Perform precise excavation and hauling of dirt materials. * Install and maintain erosion control ...

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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 Jun 6, 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 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 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,585 per year, or $50.8 per hour.
Civil Engineer - Land Development

Civil Engineer - Land Development

Davis Bowen Friedel

Centreville, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Salary: $70-$90k per year

Overview

At Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. (DBF), we value community minded individuals. Our Civil Engineers design, enhance, maintain and protect the communities we work, live, and play in. From land grading to designing stormwater runoff, youll find the hard work and dedication of an engineer. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our communities by creating value through problem-solving and design.

In this role, we are looking for an individual who can perform civil engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction; one who will take pride in the work they perform to improve the local landscape. The ideal candidate must have knowledge in stormwater, road, entrance, water distribution for domestic/fire, sewer systems to include pump stations and grading.

DBFs portfolio includes projects of a wide variety, so if you are looking to expand your repertoire and improve your abilities, this position is the perfect fit for you. We also offer opportunities for promotion if you meet our needs. This is an in-person position only. No hybrid or remote work is available at this time.


Responsibilities

  • Utilize design software, computer aided drafting, and other applicable tools to plan, design, and permit projects such as water infrastructure, sanitary sewer infrastructure, roadway and entrance designs, streetscape improvements, and stormwater conveyance/management for both residential and commercial sites, including subdivisions.
  • Coordinate with private contractors and clientele with plan reviews, project planning, and associated coordination with regulatory agencies.
  • Perform civil design analysis and calculations according to project requirements
  • Plan projects based on the analysis of relevant materials such as drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, survey reports, amps and other geologic and topographical data.
  • Draft and present reports on topics related to projects such as stormwater reports and right-of-way descriptions.
  • Estimate materials, equipment, and labor needed to determine project costs.
  • Coordinate permitting with local agencies
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.


Education & Skills

The preferred candidate would possess a four (4) year degree in civil engineering. A minimum of four (4) years of related experience, proficiency in AutoCAD, and the demonstrated ability to market and work with planners and developers is expected. The preferred candidate shall possess a professional engineering license in the state of Delaware or have the ability to obtain licensure within 12 months of employment.


Key Qualifications

The preferred candidate should be:

  • Detail Oriented Ability to exercise attention to detail.
  • Client Focused Ability to respond to client needs in a timely manner.
  • An Effective Communicator Ability to clearly communicate ideas, actively listen, and ask appropriate questions.
  • A Critical Thinker Ability to problem solve, make good decisions, and adapt to a fast-paced environment.


Benefits

We attract the best in the industry with our competitive benefits package. Benefits include:

  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Life and disability insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Annual paid time off (PTO)
  • Paid holidays
  • Flexible summer hours
  • Education Assistance and professional licensing reimbursement
  • Flexible savings account
  • Bonus pay