10 of the Most Popular Types of Machinery Operator Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Machinery Operator jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Machinery Operator Jobs

• Heavy Equipment

  Salary range: $62,500 - $76,000

  Heavy equipment jobs are typically within the construction or industrial maintenance industries. The two main categories of heavy equipment jobs are heavy equipment operator and heavy equipment mechanic. As a heavy equipment operator, you are in charge of running large pieces of equipment to help build or maintain roads, bridges, large structures, and tunnels or pipelines. Your job duties may include operating bulldozers, front-end loaders, or backhoes responsibly during large projects. Heavy equipment mechanics, on the other hand, help to keep this equipment in working order for the operators by working on engines and other moving parts of the machinery.

• Operador Maquinaria

  Salary range: $31,000 - $37,000

  Operador Maquinaria is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Operador Maquinaria jobs pay between $31,000 (25th percentile) and $37,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Operador Maquinaria job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Excavator Operator

  Salary range: $45,000 - $59,500

  As an excavator operator, you control the heavy equipment that moves dirt, sand, and other materials on construction sites. In addition to operating the excavator machine, your job duties are to perform routine maintenance on your excavator and coordinate with your supervisor for major repairs. Since your heavy machinery will move earth, rubble, and debris around the construction sites at your jobs, you need to communicate with the site supervisor and other construction workers to ensure everyone’s safety while you’re operating the excavator.

• Entry Level Machine Operator

  Salary range: $32,500 - $39,500

  Entry Level Machine Operator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Entry Level Machine Operator jobs pay between $32,500 (25th percentile) and $39,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Machine 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 Union

  Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000

  Heavy Equipment Operator Union is a common job search query. Most salaries for Heavy Equipment Operator Union jobs pay between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Heavy Equipment Operator Union job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Traveling Heavy Equipment Operator

  Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000

  Traveling Heavy Equipment Operator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Traveling Heavy Equipment Operator jobs pay between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Traveling Heavy Equipment Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• No Experience Excavator Operator

  Salary range: $45,000 - $59,500

  No Experience Excavator Operator is a typical job search query Most salaries for No Experience Excavator Operator jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $59,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for No Experience Excavator Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Cnc Swiss Machine Operator

  Salary range: $41,000 - $56,000

  Cnc Swiss Machine Operator is a typical job search query Most salaries for Cnc Swiss Machine Operator jobs pay between $41,000 (25th percentile) and $56,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Cnc Swiss Machine Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Oil Field Heavy Equipment Operator

  Salary range: $52,000 - $72,500

  Oil Field Heavy Equipment Operator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Oil Field Heavy Equipment Operator jobs pay between $52,000 (25th percentile) and $72,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Oil Field 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.

• Entry Level Heavy Equipment Operator

  Salary range: $40,500 - $56,000

  The job of an entry-level heavy equipment operator is to operate and perform maintenance on machinery used in building construction, like excavators, haul trucks, or snowcats. Someone in this role should follow all safety regulations on a construction site. An entry-level heavy equipment operator often works under direct supervision, although they may take on small building projects as they gain experience and demonstrate skills. Qualifications include a high school diploma and on-the-job training, although additional licensure or certification may be required for certain types of machinery.