Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Sterling, IL

A Heavy Equipment Operator in the landscaping industry operates large machinery used in the construction and maintenance of landscapes. Their duties may include grading terrain, hauling materials, digging holes for planting, and other tasks where heavy machinery is needed. The operator is responsible for the safe and efficient use of equipment, typically including bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and backhoes. They also perform routine inspections and maintenance on the machinery, ensuring it is in good working condition.

Important skills for a Heavy Equipment Operator include mechanical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in diverse weather conditions. A high school diploma is usually required, along with a commercial driver's license (CDL) and a certification in heavy equipment operations. This certification can be obtained through trade schools or community colleges. Before becoming a Heavy Equipment Operator, a person may have roles such as a Laborer or a Landscape Worker, which provide relevant experiences like operating smaller machinery, understanding of landscape designs and plans, and familiarity with the industry's safety requirements.

1-5 of 5 Jobs

Forklift Operator

  • Erie, IL (21 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 5 days ago
  • Erie, IL (21 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 5 days ago

Aerotek Forklift Operator in Erie , Illinois Job Title: Forklift Operator Job Description We are looking to add a forklift operator and material handler to our team. This position utilizes a...

Forklift Operator

  • Morrison, IL (12 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 7 days ago
  • Morrison, IL (12 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 7 days ago

Forklift Operator Company: Adecco US, Inc. Location: Morrison, IL Date Posted: 3/6/25, 2:41 AM Looking for a job with variety? Competitive Wages? Fill out your application today. Adecco is...

Warehouse Specialist/Forklift Operator

  • Mount Morris, IL (21 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 11 days ago
  • Mount Morris, IL (21 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 11 days ago

Hourly Wage: $21.5 - $25 per/hour *The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly...

Forklift Operator (2nd Shift)

  • Morrison, IL (12 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 17 days ago
  • Morrison, IL (12 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 17 days ago

Position: Forklift Operator Pay: $19.50 Job Summary: A Forklift Operator is responsible for operating forklifts and other material handling equipment to transport raw materials, finished products,...

Forklift Operator - 3939-6039

  • Rock Falls, IL (7 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 90+ days ago
  • Rock Falls, IL (7 miles from Sterling, IL)
  • 90+ days ago

This job was posted by : For more information, please see: Here at Rehrig Pacific, we are all about our people. Since 1913, our organization has focused on sustainable supply chain solutions while...

Demographic Data for Sterling, IL

Moving to Sterling, IL? Find some basic demographic data about Sterling, IL below.

Local
National
21,064
470
Medium

Heavy Equipment Operator Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireLandscaping curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Skillsoft Percipio
Construction: Heavy Equipment Awareness
Working with or around heavy equipment is unavoidable on most construction sites. That's why it's important that you have an awareness of what's happening around you at all times, so you can react...
Coggno
Load Securement for Heavy Equipment (US) Course
The North American Cargo Securement Standard forms the basis for the cargo securement and distribution regulations in the United States and Canada. The regulations are designed to ensure cargo...
MIT OpenCourseWare
Heavy Metal 101
This is not a metallurgy class! Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Heavy Metal music. Topics of this video lecture series include musicology, history, metal culture, music theory,...
Register to search for more online courses. >>>

Salary for Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Sterling, IL

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireLandscaping research efforts.
Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Heavy Equipment Operator positions.

Highest Education Level

Heavy Equipment Operators in Sterling, IL offer the following education background
High School or GED
37.2%
Bachelor's Degree
25.9%
Vocational Degree or Certification
14.7%
Associate's Degree
12.8%
Some High School
3.4%
Some College
2.8%
Master's Degree
2.8%
Doctorate Degree
0.3%
Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Heavy Equipment Operators in Sterling, IL
2-4 years
36.6%
Less than 1 year
26.8%
1-2 years
19.9%
4-6 years
16.3%
None
0.4%

Qualifications / Skill Sets

The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Heavy Equipment Operator position

In-Demand skills () are the most popular among employers according to the current jobs in our database. Last updated today!

Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills