ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Maintenance Equipment Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsManufacturing JobsIndustrial Maintenance JobsFactory Maintenance Technician JobsMaintenance Equipment Operator Jobs

Maintenance Equipment Operator information

See salary details

$12

$22

$29

How much do maintenance equipment operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for maintenance equipment operator in the United States is $22.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $25.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a maintenance equipment operator?

Maintenance Equipment Operators are skilled workers responsible for operating and maintaining heavy machinery and equipment used in construction, roadwork, landscaping, and facility upkeep. Their duties typically include inspecting equipment, performing preventive maintenance, and ensuring safe operation of vehicles such as loaders, graders, backhoes, and snow plows. They also assist with repairs and may be required to keep detailed records of their work and equipment performance. This role is essential for keeping public and private infrastructure functional and safe.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a maintenance equipment operator?

To thrive as a Maintenance Equipment Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of equipment operation, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent with relevant certifications like a CDL. Familiarity with heavy machinery, maintenance management systems, and safety protocols is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and reliability are important soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure safe, efficient, and timely operation and maintenance of equipment, which is critical for minimizing downtime and supporting organizational productivity.

What challenges do maintenance equipment operators face when working with different types of machinery?

Maintenance Equipment Operators often encounter challenges related to operating and maintaining a wide variety of machines, each with its own set of controls and safety protocols. Adapting quickly to new or unfamiliar equipment, troubleshooting mechanical issues on the spot, and staying updated on preventive maintenance best practices are key aspects of the role. Operators also need to be vigilant about workplace safety, as they frequently work in environments where coordination with other team members and strict adherence to safety guidelines are crucial. Effective communication and ongoing training help navigate these challenges successfully.

What is the difference between Maintenance Equipment Operator vs Heavy Equipment Operator?

AspectMaintenance Equipment OperatorHeavy Equipment Operator
CertificationsOSHA safety training, equipment-specific certificationsOSHA safety training, CDL often preferred
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, industrial facilities, municipal projectsConstruction sites, mining, infrastructure projects
Job DutiesOperate and maintain machinery like forklifts, loaders, and compactorsOperate large machinery like bulldozers, cranes, excavators

Both roles involve operating machinery in construction or industrial settings, requiring safety certifications. Maintenance Equipment Operators focus on smaller, maintenance-related equipment, while Heavy Equipment Operators handle larger, earth-moving machinery. The choice depends on the project type and machinery involved.

What cities are hiring for Maintenance Equipment Operator jobs?

Cities with the most Maintenance Equipment Operator job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Maintenance Equipment Operator jobs?

The top employers for Maintenance Equipment Operator jobs are:

What states have the most Maintenance Equipment Operator jobs?

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

What are popular job titles related to Maintenance Equipment Operator jobs?

For Maintenance Equipment Operator jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Maintenance Equipment Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Maintenance Equipment Operator 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 $47,507 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Maintenance & Equipment Operator

Mower County, Minnesota

Austin, MN • On-site

$27.66 - $37.34/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Salary Range:$27.66 - $37.34 per hour
Application Deadline: September 8, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m.
Interview Date: September 18, 2026
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UAW
Department: Highway - Public Works

Position Summary

This position operates a variety of heavy and light equipment and performs skilled and semi-skilled manual labor to maintain and repair County highways, bridges, and other County properties. Work includes road maintenance, snow and ice control, equipment operation, traffic control, general maintenance, and emergency response.

Employees in this position play an important role in keeping County roads safe and accessible and must be available to plow and maintain roads during emergency weather conditions.

Required Licenses and Certifications

Applicants must possess or be able to obtain the following, as applicable:

  • Valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Ability to obtain Class A (CDL) within 12 months of hire.

  • Tanker Endorsement preferred at time of hire, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

  • Valid Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Health Card.

  • Erosion Control Installer certification preferred, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

  • Pesticide Applicator License, Categories A and J, preferred, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

  • Traffic Control Flagger Certification, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

This position is subject to drug and alcohol testing pursuant to applicable federal and state requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED.

  • One year of equipment operation experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

  • Regular and reliable attendance is required.

    This position is subject to drug and alcohol testing pursuant to applicable federal and state requirements.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities

    Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

    • Operate heavy and light equipment used in highway and infrastructure maintenance, including dump/plow trucks, graders, loaders, excavators, dozers, sweepers, rollers, tractors, mowers, pavers, tractor-trailers, and other specialized equipment.

    • Plow and sand County roads during winter weather and emergency conditions.

    • Apply sand and salt for snow and ice control.

    • Grade and maintain County roads and shoulders.

    • Perform gravel pit and screening operations.

    • Clear trees, brush, and other vegetation from County property and rights-of-way.

    • Spray and control weeds as assigned.

    • Install, maintain, and steam culverts.

    • Patch and repair roads and bridges.

    • Lay asphalt and assist with other roadway construction and maintenance activities.

    • Set up work zones, barricades, safety signs, and road closures using proper traffic-control procedures.

    • Perform skilled and semi-skilled manual labor related to County highways, bridges, facilities, and other properties.

    • Conduct routine maintenance and care of assigned equipment.

    • Inspect equipment to ensure safe and proper operation.

    • Assist mechanics with more complex equipment repairs as needed.

    • Perform shop and grounds cleanup and maintenance.

    • Complete required MnDOT pre-trip and post-trip vehicle and equipment inspections.

    • Record time spent on road projects and other work assignments using electronic devices for cost accounting and payroll purposes.

    • Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

    The successful candidate should have knowledge of or the ability to perform work involving:

    • Operation and maintenance of light and heavy public works equipment.

    • Construction and highway maintenance principles and practices.

    • Equipment operating and preventive maintenance techniques.

    • Safety practices and hazards associated with motorized equipment, road construction, and highway maintenance.

    • General labor and maintenance activities.

    • Safe operation of tools, machinery, and specialized equipment.

    • Reading manuals, specifications, drawings, and blueprints.

    • Troubleshooting equipment and systems related to assigned work.

    • Preparing accurate records and logs.

    • Basic computer operation, related software, and simple data entry.

    • Communicating effectively and following oral and written instructions.

    • Working effectively with coworkers, supervisors, other County employees, and members of the public.

    • Providing and receiving work direction in a professional manner.

    Work Environment and Physical Requirements

    This is a physically demanding position that requires work outdoors and in a variety of weather and environmental conditions.

    Employees may be required to:

    • Work in extreme heat, cold, snow, rain, and other weather conditions.

    • Lift and carry up to 65 pounds on an occasional basis.

    • Frequently or continually bend, twist, kneel, squat, climb, reach, grasp, pinch, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements.

    • Work around heavy equipment and high-speed traffic.

    • Work around fuels, chemicals, asphalt, diesel and gasoline fumes, utilities, confined spaces, and other occupational hazards.

    • Safely operate hand tools, power tools, construction equipment, trucks, loaders, graders, mowers, saws, hydraulic equipment, and other equipment related to the position.

    • Distinguish between colors when required by the work assignment.

    Work schedules may include evenings, weekends, holidays, irregular hours, and extended shifts, particularly during snowstorms, emergencies, and other weather-related events.

    Reasonable accommodations may be available to qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

    Confidentiality and Data Practices

    Employees in this position may encounter Not Public Data as defined by Minnesota or federal law while performing their duties. Access to such information must be limited to what is necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities.

    Employees are expected to appropriately safeguard confidential information and comply with Mower County Data Practices and Data Security policies, as well as applicable state and federal law.

    Benefits

    Mower County offers a competitive benefits package that may include:

    • Competitive pay

    • Paid time off

    • 13 paid holidays

    • Minnesota PERA retirement

    • Weekend, night, and holiday premiums, when applicable

    • Health insurance, including some plans with a $0 monthly employee premium

    • Dental insurance

    • Vision insurance

    • On-site fitness room

    • Additional benefit and retirement programs

    • Minnesota Paid Leave Program

    • Employer-paid short-term disability

    Apply