Heavy Equipment Operator Jobs in Hickory, NC

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.

1-12 of 12 Jobs

Forklift Operator - Weekend Day Shift

Lincolnton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
6 hours ago

Lincolnton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
6 hours ago

Here at Rehrig Pacific, we are all about our people. Since 1913, our organization has focused on sustainable supply chain solutions while creating a culture and atmosphere where amazing people,...

Forklift Operator - Monday-Friday Afternoon Shift

Lincolnton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
6 hours ago

Lincolnton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
6 hours ago

Here at Rehrig Pacific, we are all about our people. Since 1913, our organization has focused on sustainable supply chain solutions while creating a culture and atmosphere where amazing people,...

Forklift Operator - Monday-Thursday Day Shift

Lincolnton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
6 hours ago

Lincolnton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
6 hours ago

Here at Rehrig Pacific, we are all about our people. Since 1913, our organization has focused on sustainable supply chain solutions while creating a culture and atmosphere where amazing people,...

Forklift Operator - Sit Down - Now Hiring

Hickory, NC
20 hours ago

Hickory, NC
20 hours ago

Ready to explore new job opportunities as a sit down forklift operator? Do you have a strong safety record? A can-do mentality? A history of near-flawless attendance? If all these ring true, there...

Forklift Operator - 2nd Shift

Morganton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
2 days ago

Morganton, NC (21 miles from Hickory, NC)
2 days ago

Forklift Operator - 2nd Shift Morganton, NC 28655, USA Req #21673 Tuesday, March 11, 2025 As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our...

Forklift Operator - Night - Freezer

Hickory, NC
3 days ago

Hickory, NC
3 days ago

We Deliver the Goods: Competitive pay and benefits, including Day 1 Health & Wellness Benefits, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401K Employer Matching, Education Assistance, Paid Time Off, and much...

Crane Operator - 2nd Shift

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
14 days ago

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
14 days ago

Pay Grade: $19.00 Hourly Shift/Hours: Sunday through Thursday 3:00pm - 11:00pm Elite Comfort Solutions, a Leggett & Platt Company, is comprised of hardworking individuals dedicated to delivering...

Forklift Operator - 2nd Shift

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
14 days ago

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
14 days ago

Pay Grade: 18.50 Hourly Shift/Hours: Sunday through Thursday 3:00pm - 11:00pm Elite Comfort Solutions, a Leggett & Platt Company, is comprised of hardworking individuals dedicated to delivering...

Forklift Operator - 1st Shift

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
14 days ago

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
14 days ago

Pay: $16.50 Hourly Shift/Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm (Overtime possible) Elite Comfort Solutions, a Leggett & Platt Company, is comprised of hardworking individuals dedicated to...

Forklift Operator

Claremont, NC (11 miles from Hickory, NC)
19 days ago

Claremont, NC (11 miles from Hickory, NC)
19 days ago

ManpowerGroup Forklift Operator in Claremont , North Carolina Position: Experienced Forklift Operator Day Shift : 7am-7pm 3x2x2x3 Pay: $17.50 Starting Pay Are you ready to ignite your career in...

Forklift Operator

Newton, NC (10 miles from Hickory, NC)
21 days ago

Newton, NC (10 miles from Hickory, NC)
21 days ago

Position: Experienced Forklift Operator Day Shift : 7am-7pm 3x2x2x3 Pay: $17.50 Starting Pay Are you ready to ignite your career in manufacturing with one of our favorite client partners? Our team...

Forklift Operator

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
22 days ago

Conover, NC (7 miles from Hickory, NC)
22 days ago

POSITION SUMMARY: The Forklift Operator is responsible for the safe operation of the forklift. For the purpose of stacking material, loading of trailers, and emptying full containers throughout...

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Demographic Data for Hickory, NC

Moving to Hickory, NC? Find some basic demographic data about Hickory, NC below.

Median Age

Average Household Income

Home Value vs Household Income in Hickory, NC

Local

National

Total Population

83,157

Number of Businesses

2,724

City Size

Medium/Lg

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 Hickory, NC

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 Hickory, NC 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 Hickory, NC

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