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Wheel Loader Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner. * Ability to cross train on various equipment types. * Ability to cross train in various roles throughout ...

LOADER

Winchester, VA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.25/hr

The General Help/Loader will load and unload products, pick products for route drivers, count ... Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and push and pull heavy wheeled equipment or carts in a ...

LOADER

Winchester, VA

$16.25 - $21.25/hr

The General Help/Loader will load and unload products, pick products for route drivers, count ... Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and push and pull heavy wheeled equipment or carts in a ...

LOADER

Winchester, VA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.25/hr

The General Help/Loader will load and unload products, pick products for route drivers, count ... Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and push and pull heavy wheeled equipment or carts in a ...

LOADER

Winchester, VA · On-site

$16.25 - $21.25/hr

The General Help/Loader will load and unload products, pick products for route drivers, count ... Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and push and pull heavy wheeled equipment or carts in a ...

Loader Operator

Blacksburg, VA

$15.25 - $20/hr

Starts engine, shifts gears, presses pedals, and turns steering wheel to operate loader. Moves levers to lower and tilt bucket and drives front-end loader forward to force bucket into bulk material.

Loader Operator

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

$15.50 - $20.25/hr

Starts engine, shifts gears, presses pedals, and turns steering wheel to operate loader. Moves levers to lower and tilt bucket and drives front-end loader forward to force bucket into bulk material.

Showing results 21-40

Wheel Loader information

See Virginia salary details

$10

$19

$28

How much do wheel loader jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for wheel loader in Virginia is $19.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $22.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wheel loader?

A wheel loader is a type of heavy equipment used primarily in construction, mining, and agriculture for loading materials such as soil, sand, gravel, and debris into trucks or onto other machinery. It features a large front-mounted bucket attached to movable arms, allowing operators to scoop, lift, and transport materials efficiently. Wheel loaders are known for their versatility, maneuverability, and ability to handle a variety of tasks, making them essential on job sites where material handling is required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wheel loader operator?

To thrive as a Wheel Loader Operator, you need proven equipment operation skills, a high school diploma or equivalent, and sometimes a relevant heavy machinery certification or CDL. Familiarity with hydraulic systems, onboard diagnostics, and safety protocols is essential, along with experience using GPS or telematics systems. Attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team are valuable soft skills. These skills ensure safe, efficient material handling, minimize workplace accidents, and support productivity on construction or mining sites.

What is the difference between Wheel Loader vs Excavator?

FeatureWheel LoaderExcavator
Primary UseLoading, moving materials on flat surfacesDigging, trenching, lifting
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, quarries, industrial yardsConstruction, demolition, mining sites
Required CertificationsOperator license, safety trainingOperator license, safety training
MobilityHigh mobility on wheelsTracked, less mobile on roads

Wheel Loaders are designed for loading and moving materials quickly on flat surfaces, while Excavators excel at digging and lifting in various terrains. Both require operator licenses and are common in construction and industrial settings, but their functions and mobility differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by wheel loader operators on a construction site?

Wheel loader operators often encounter challenges such as working in tight or uneven spaces, managing visibility around large equipment, and coordinating with other team members and machinery to ensure safety and efficiency. They must also adapt to varying load types and weights, which requires a keen understanding of the equipment’s limits. Effective communication with site supervisors and adherence to safety protocols are vital to prevent accidents and maintain productivity.

How to become a wheel loader?

To become a wheel loader operator, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with on-the-job training or a vocational program in heavy equipment operation. Certification from a recognized training organization and a valid driver's license are often required, and experience with equipment maintenance and safety procedures is beneficial.

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Wheel Loader jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Wheel Loader job openings:

Infographic showing various Wheel Loader job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $40,834 per year, or $19.6 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


OmniSource rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 90 rated recycling and waste


Job description

OmniSource

Operate material handling equipment; grade, inspect, sort, and sample material; operate scales.


  • Operate multiple types of material handling equipment i.e. Dump Truck, Wheel Loader, Skid Steer Loader and Forklift, in a safe and productive manner.
  • Ability to cross train on various equipment types.
  • Ability to cross train in various roles throughout the plant.
  • Grade and inspect incoming material.
  • Move, sort, and sample material.
  • Operate truck and retail scales.
  • All other duties as assigned.

Required

  • A clear understanding and adherence to safety regulations.
  • Ability to work in all types of weather conditions.
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds or more repetitively on a regular basis.
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time on a daily basis.
  • Must be self-motivated team player, anxious and willing to learn new skills.
  • Ability to make decisions in a fast paced, ever changing environment.

Preferred

  • Knowledge of metals.

Steel Dynamics, Inc., and all affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers.


What OmniSource employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About OmniSource

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Founded in Fort Wayne, IN in 1943, OmniSource, LLC has grown to become one of North America’s largest processors, distributors, and managers of scrap and secondary metals. We collect, process, and resell a wide variety of scrap metal. The company ships over 5 million gross tons of recycled steel and 1 billion pounds of nonferrous and stainless-steel scrap annually. Our primary collection and processing facilities are concentrated in the Midwest, the South, and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. But our reach stretches across North America, utilizing a wide-ranging fleet of trucks, containers, railcars, and barges to collect and haul metals. We expect to continue to expand OmniSource’s footprint, deploying our processing assets to cover new geographical territories, opening new facilities, and making targeted acquisitions. Supplementing our company-operated scrap collection sites, we also acquire metals from industrial scrap generators with which we have established strategic partnerships. We have designed and installed customized metals-recycling programs, some of which we manage and operate, for manufacturing companies nationwide.

Industry

Coal, metals and minerals mining

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Wayne, IN, US

Year founded

1943

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