ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Wheel Loader Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Kinder Morgan

Operator - BP Whiting

Hammond, IN · On-site

Operate a WA-500 wheel loader to scrape clean, dig and load petroleum coke into a conveyor; requires the ability to cut and grade material as necessary for miscellaneous projects on/and around ...

Grit One

Production & Heavy Machinery Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$24 - $29.50/hr

Equipment Operated: * -Material Loader * -Heavy machinery * -Sennibogan * -Wheel Loader * -Pneumatic Hoppers * -Blending System * -Wheel Bobcat * -Other Hoppers * -Conveyors * -Field Unloader Who ...

R+L Carriers

Casual Loader

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$25.94/hr

R+L Carriers has an immediate need for Part-time Forklift Operators at our Wheeling, IL service center. As a Forklift Operator, you will be tasked with moving all different types of freight safely in ...

R+L Carriers

Casual Loader

Wheeling, IL

$25.94/hr

R+L Carriers has an immediate need for Part-time Forklift Operators at our Wheeling, IL service center. As a Forklift Operator, you will be tasked with moving all different types of freight safely in ...

R+L Carriers

Casual Loader

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$25.94/hr

R+L Carriers has an immediate need for Part-time Forklift Operators at our Wheeling, IL service center. As a Forklift Operator, you will be tasked with moving all different types of freight safely in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsWheel Loader JobsWheel Loader Jobs in Chicago, IL

Wheel Loader information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$11

$20

$29

How much do wheel loader jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for wheel loader in Chicago, IL is $20.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.60 and $23.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs pay $700 a day?

For a Wheel Loader operator, earning $700 a day typically requires extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-demand industries such as construction, mining, or heavy equipment contracting. These roles often involve long hours, certifications, and operating large machinery in challenging environments. High daily pay is usually associated with unionized positions or freelance/contract work with specialized expertise.

Is a loader operator a good job?

A loader operator is a skilled trade involving operating heavy machinery like wheel loaders to move materials on construction sites, in quarries, or at industrial facilities. The job typically requires physical stamina, attention to safety protocols, and may require certification or training. It can offer steady employment and competitive wages, especially with experience and proper licensing.

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, and why are they important?

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 is the highest paid heavy equipment operator job?

The highest paid heavy equipment operators often work as crane or excavator operators, especially those with specialized skills and certifications. These roles typically command higher wages due to the complexity and risk involved, with salaries varying by industry, experience, and location.

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 familiarity with operating loaders and safety procedures are often required by employers.
What are popular job titles related to Wheel Loader jobs in Chicago, IL? For Wheel Loader jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Wheel Loader jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Wheel Loader jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Wheel Loader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wheel Loader job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $42,463 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Operator - BP Whiting

Kinder Morgan

Hammond, IN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Kinder Morgan rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 94 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 53 rated energy and utility

Job description

What We Are Looking For
Operate, monitor, and tend conveyor system through the use of automation that moves petroleum coke by belt conveyors, transfer towers to loading tower, or storage barn to reclaim systems, to load rail cars and trucks by performing the following duties. Support the on-site customers' 24/7/365 operations by working rotating schedules, inclusive of days, nights and weekend shifts. Operate heavy mobile equipment to gouge out, level, and distribute petroleum coke from inbound conveyors, storage and to outbound conveyors in a safe and efficient manner by performing the following duties.
What You Will Do
  • Utilize Human Machine Interface (HMI) to provide system control, equipment status, alarm notifications in the movement, and loading of Petroleum Coke
  • Monitor and track details such as interlocks, temperature and material level alarms, permissive signals, start/stop sequences to assist operations and maintenance in troubleshooting and diagnosing problems
  • Operate Kanawha Loading Tower to precisely control railcar loading of petroleum coke and maintain close monitoring of surge bin levels
  • Notify shift personnel of any faults within the system
  • Observe the movement of coke on conveyor
  • Operate dust suppression and rain bird systems to help control dust emissions and regulate product temperature
  • Operate D-9 Dozer with concave coal blade attached across front to gouge out, level, and distribute petroleum coke from conveyor to storage and storage to re-claim conveyor
  • Operate bulldozer in successive passes over terrain to raise or lower terrain to specified level
  • Employ dozer day and night to push material to dozer trap in order to load out material while in an enclosed building
  • Operate a WA-500 wheel loader to scrape clean, dig and load petroleum coke into a conveyor; requires the ability to cut and grade material as necessary for miscellaneous projects on/and around terminal
  • As directed performs activities of co-workers
  • Operate forklift, skid steer, man-lift, and vacuum truck in addition to previously mentioned equipment
  • Maintain dozer, skid steer, man-lift, forklift, vacuum truck, wheel loader, and conveyor equipment by performing preventive maintenance, i.e.: lubricating, cleaning, adding gear lubricants, changing filters and documenting all activity performed on said piece of equipment
  • General cleanup of coke using bobcat, shovels or water hose, cleans and perform basic housekeeping duties
  • Maintain radio communication with crew/Supervisor to insure proper equipment operation.
  • Communicate/coordinate unit operations with customer and outside operations personnel.
  • Interact with customer counterparts and supervision on a daily basis to coordinate and resolve daily tasks and issues
  • Work with the customer service representative to coordinate and track inventory, as well as waybill and BoL generation
  • Prioritize and plan work activities using time efficiently
  • Notify supervisor of all breakdowns/malfunctions
  • Initiate sampler to take periodic coke samples, operate the Benetech freeze inhibitor system, and other auxiliary systems such as the coke barn tripper
  • Inspect metal detector and magnet to insure proper operation
  • Consolidate and run system reports as required
  • Maintain sign in/sign out log
  • Assist maintenance or other departments as required
  • Utilize proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the assigned tasks and report damaged protective equipment and unsafe conditions to their supervisor
  • Attend daily and monthly safety meetings; participate in and show proficiency (through written exam) in general and site specific operations and maintenance training programs for KM environmental, health, and safety standards
  • CMMS Reporting

What You Need
Education:
  • High school diploma or equivalent

Required Qualifications:
  • Train to Operate D-9 Dozer and other heavy mobile equipment, i.e.: front-end loader, skid steer, man-lift, forklift, DOT-approved vac truck
  • Proficient with computers to include Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, plus the ability to learn HMI quickly
  • Able to carry out supervisor's instructions
  • Self-motivated
  • Safety in performance of duties common to the position
  • Must possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license and have willingness to use personal and/or company vehicle in the course of employment
  • Must obtain and/or meet all requirements to enter foreign trade zones, such as background checks by both the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, i.e. obtain and maintain a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC)
  • Regular work attendance is required to appropriately perform the essential duties of this job
  • Must be able to work overtime and weekends as dictated by operations
  • If required must be able to perform shift work, rotating day/night
  • Maintain Storage Barn with mobile equipment (Dozer, Skid Steer, Front-End Loader)
  • Manual clean-up throughout entire system & facility (brooms, shovels, hoses, etc.)
  • Inspect belts, rollers, system, etc. throughout shift
  • 24/7 operation 365 days a year (including all holidays)
  • Currently working 12 hour rotating shifts (days: 5am to 5pm and nights: 5pm to 5am)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Associate's degree from a technical school
  • Prior control room experience
  • 3-5 years of experience operating heavy mobile equipment
  • Sinter/coal experience

Working Conditions:
  • Regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and also but not limited to heights in excess of five (5) feet, moving mechanical parts, moving on track rail equipment, fumes, airborne particles, vibration, uneven terrain and high noise level in the work environment
  • Required to sit, stand, walk and climb for extended periods of time
  • The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
  • Communicate with supervision, co-workers and contractors via radio and hand signals
  • Must wear FRC clothing
  • Primary work area will be within the refinery perimeter, including the yard, barn and control room/HMI terminal in site bunker
  • Long hours interfacing with computers and load out controls; will be required to assist with all field duties with exposure to physical demands listed above
  • While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, extreme outside weather conditions and vibration
  • The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and risk of electrical shock and loud noise levels

Why Join Kinder Morgan
Kinder Morgan is a large energy infrastructure company operating in North America. Access to reliable, affordable energy is a critical component for improving lives around the world. We are committed to providing energy transportation and storage services in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner for the benefit of the people, communities, and businesses we serve.
Kinder Morgan provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, family status, status as an individual authorized to work in the U.S., or any other status protected by law.
For more information about Kinder Morgan, our culture, opportunities available, and to join our Talent Community, please visit our careers site at www.kindermorgan.com.

What Kinder Morgan employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Kinder Morgan logo

About Kinder Morgan

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kinder Morgan is moving the fuels of today for the energy of the future. From the natural gas that heats your home to the gasoline that fuels your vehicle, our pipeline and terminal assets provide the necessary infrastructure to meet today's growing global energy demand and play a key role in the low-carbon energy transition of the future.

Industry

Oil and gas extraction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1997

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Kinder Morgan Jobs

Apply