To become a heavy equipment operator, you need a high school diploma or equivalent. Though some jobs require a junior college or vocational school certificate, many heavy equipment operator jobs provide on the job training through an apprenticeship. In all cases, these programs provide training in the basics of operating heavy equipment to gain the skills and qualifications you need to work this career. Some states also have requirements for licensing in addition to training.

If you are interested in a job related to Equipment Operator, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Equipment Operator Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Equipment Operator positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Pipeline Excavator Operator
Salary range: $45,000 - $59,500
Pipeline Excavator Operator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Pipeline Excavator Operator jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Pipeline Excavator Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Fly In Fly Out Excavator Operator
Salary range: $45,000 - $59,500
Fly In Fly Out Excavator Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Fly In Fly Out Excavator Operator jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Fly In Fly Out Excavator Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Remote Fifo Heavy Equipment Operator
Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000
Remote Fifo Heavy Equipment Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Remote Fifo Heavy Equipment Operator jobs pay between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Remote Fifo Heavy Equipment Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Quarry Heavy Equipment Operator
Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000
Quarry Heavy Equipment Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Quarry Heavy Equipment Operator jobs pay between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Quarry Heavy Equipment Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Excavation
Salary range: $37,000 - $57,500
Excavation is a common job search query. Most salaries for Excavation jobs pay between $37,000 (25th percentile) and $57,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Excavation job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Remote Excavator Operator
Salary range: $45,000 - $59,500
Remote Excavator Operator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Remote Excavator Operator jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are lots of open positions nationwide for Remote Excavator Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Contract Excavator Owner Operator
Salary range: $45,000 - $59,500
Contract Excavator Owner Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Contract Excavator Owner Operator jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Contract Excavator Owner Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Remote Heavy Equipment
Salary range: $62,500 - $76,000
Remote Heavy Equipment is a typical job search query Most salaries for Remote Heavy Equipment jobs pay between $62,500 (25th percentile) and $76,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are lots of open positions nationwide for Remote Heavy Equipment job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Remote Dozer Operator
Salary range: $42,000 - $56,000
Remote Dozer Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Remote Dozer Operator jobs pay between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Remote Dozer Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Remote Pipeline Operator
Salary range: $43,500 - $59,000
Remote Pipeline Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Remote Pipeline Operator jobs pay between $43,500 (25th percentile) and $59,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Remote Pipeline Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Equipment Operator Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Equipment Operator Jobs in 2026