Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Iowa

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.

1-15 of 59 Jobs

Overhead Crane Operator

  • Muscatine, IA
  • 1 hour ago
  • Muscatine, IA
  • 1 hour ago

equipment operator is preferred....

Forklift Operator - 2nd Shift

  • Fort Madison, IA
  • 3 hours ago
  • Fort Madison, IA
  • 3 hours ago

Here at Scotts Miracle-Gro there is no such thing as a typical day. Our culture is constantly energized by new and exciting growth opportunities and at a rapid pace. Below are details on an open...

Part-Time Dock Worker / Forklift Operator

  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 17 hours ago
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 17 hours ago

Overview Stable and growing organization Pay beginning at $22.85 per hour Quick advancement Professional, positive and people-centered work environment Modern facilities Clean, late model...

Forklift Operator

  • Iowa City, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Iowa City, IA
  • 1 day ago

Job Ref: 168812 Location: Iowa City, IA 52240 Location Flexibility: Onsite Category: Logistics and Warehouse Job Type: Full-time Job Status: Non-exempt Pay Basis Hourly Pay Rate $19.59 Brand UNFI...

Dockworker Forklift Operator

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago

Shift:1am-9am Our Des Moines, IA service center is immediately hiring a Full-time dockworker. Up to $25.20/ hr Starting Depending on experience Forklift operator experience is a plus Yard Jockey a...

Forklift Operator - Part-Time

  • Clear Lake, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Clear Lake, IA
  • 1 day ago

What youll need to succeed as a Forklift Operator at XPO Minimum qualifications: Be at least 18 years of age Able to do basic math calculations, with and without a calculator Available to work a...

Secondary Road Motor Grader Operator- District #2 Lawton

  • Sioux City, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Sioux City, IA
  • 1 day ago

Woodbury County benefits include: IPERS. Health Insurance with $250/Deductible, Free Dental, Life & LTD Insurance, Sick leave benefits, Vacation, 10 Paid Holidays and 2 Personal Days....

Forklift Operator (Stand Up)

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago

Aerotek Forklift Operator (Stand Up) in DES MOINES , Iowa Job Title: Stand up Forklift Operator Job Description We are seeking a skilled Stand-up Forklift Operator to join our team. The ideal...

Stand Up Forklift Operator Pay Rate: 21.00 Posted 03/09/25 Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 1 day ago

Stand Up Forklift Operator Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 Posted: 03/09/2025 Job Number: 756176 Pay Rate: 21.00 Industry: Supply Chain/Logistics JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Stand Up Forklift Operator...

Yard Tractor Operator - 3rd Shift

  • Fort Madison, IA
  • 2 days ago
  • Fort Madison, IA
  • 2 days ago

Here at Scotts Miracle-Gro there is no such thing as a typical day. Our culture is constantly energized by new and exciting growth opportunities and at a rapid pace. Below are details on an open...

Forklift Operator/ Can Start ASAP/ 25$

  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4 days ago
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4 days ago

Aerotek Forklift Operator/ Can Start ASAP/ 25$ in Cedar Rapids , Iowa Job Title: Forklift Operator Job Description We are seeking a dedicated Forklift Operator responsible for the accurate...

Loader Operator

  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 5 days ago
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 5 days ago

Copart, Inc. a technology leader and the premier online vehicle auction platform globally, with over 200 facilities located across the world, Copart links vehicle sellers to more than 750,000...

Material Handler Overhead Crane Operator 20/hr

  • Sioux City, IA
  • 5 days ago
  • Sioux City, IA
  • 5 days ago

Salary Not Available Position range in Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Statistical Area $36k - $46k Per Year Material Handler Overhead Crane Operator 20/hr Aerotek Occupation: Laborers and...

Forklift Operator

  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 6 days ago
  • Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 6 days ago

Aerotek Forklift Operator in Cedar Rapids , Iowa Job Title: Forklift Operator Job Description We are seeking a dedicated Forklift Operator responsible for the accurate storing, shipping, and...

Forklift Operator

  • Pacific Junction, IA
  • 6 days ago
  • Pacific Junction, IA
  • 6 days ago

Forklift Operator Industrial & Manufacturing $ 20 / Hour location_on Pacific Junction, Iowa work_outline Contract/Temporary favorite_border JOB ON CANDIDATE PORTAL COPY LINK link Adecco is hiring...

Demographic Data for Iowa

Moving to Iowa? Find some basic demographic data about Iowa below.


Local
National
3,191,035
82,356

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.
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...
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,...
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...

Salary for Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Iowa

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 Iowa offer the following education background
High School or GED
37.3%
Bachelor's Degree
26.0%
Vocational Degree or Certification
14.7%
Associate's Degree
12.9%
Some High School
3.4%
Some College
2.8%
Master's Degree
2.5%
Doctorate Degree
0.3%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Heavy Equipment Operators in Iowa
2-4 years
36.6%
Less than 1 year
26.8%
1-2 years
19.9%
4-6 years
16.3%
None
0.4%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills