The qualifications that you need to get a grading job include the skills to operate heavy machinery and knowledge of construction safety practices. Since your responsibilities involve working at construction sites, you spend almost all your workday outside. You need the physical stamina to withstand less than ideal weather conditions. Heavy equipment operators may need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and complete some training with the grading equipment that they use. Some employers hire general laborers and provide on-the-job training in the use of machinery that does not require a specific license. Grading supervisors and foremen typically have years of experience in the construction industry.

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

Top Types Of Grading Jobs

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

Prevailing Wage Equipment Operators
Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000
Prevailing Wage Equipment Operators is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Prevailing Wage Equipment Operators jobs pay between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Prevailing Wage Equipment Operators job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Laser Grading
Salary range: $64,500 - $161,500
Laser Grading is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Laser Grading jobs pay between $64,500 (25th percentile) and $161,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Laser Grading job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Heavy Equipment Foreman
Salary range: $62,500 - $76,000
Heavy Equipment Foreman is a typical job search query Most salaries for Heavy Equipment Foreman jobs pay between $62,500 (25th percentile) and $76,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Heavy Equipment Foreman job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Internship Heavy Equipment Operator
Salary range: $35,500 - $52,000
Internship Heavy Equipment Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Internship Heavy Equipment Operator jobs pay between $35,500 (25th percentile) and $52,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Internship 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.
Heavy Lift Superintendent
Salary range: $71,000 - $115,500
Heavy Lift Superintendent is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Heavy Lift Superintendent jobs pay between $71,000 (25th percentile) and $115,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Heavy Lift Superintendent job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Full Time International Heavy Equipment Operator
Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000
Full Time International Heavy Equipment Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Full Time International 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 Full Time International 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.
Heavy Equipment Operator Relocation Provided
Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000
Heavy Equipment Operator Relocation Provided is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Heavy Equipment Operator Relocation Provided jobs pay between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Heavy Equipment Operator Relocation Provided job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Full Time Bulldozer Operator
Salary range: $36,500 - $56,000
Full Time Bulldozer Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Full Time Bulldozer Operator jobs pay between $36,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Full Time Bulldozer Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Production Excavator Operator
Salary range: $33,500 - $40,500
Production Excavator Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Production Excavator Operator jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $40,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Production Excavator Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Mass Excavation
Salary range: $37,000 - $57,500
Mass Excavation is a typical job search query Most salaries for Mass 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 Mass Excavation job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

All Jobs Grading Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Grading Jobs in 2026