Grader operator jobs are available in a variety of construction industries, from road construction to building and home construction. Many grader operator jobs are related to the forestry industry, and employees help build logging trails. Snow removal personnel for roads, parking lots, and airports are seasonal grader operator jobs in cold climate areas.
In the construction industry, many types of heavy equipment operators are employed, such as crane and excavator operators; however, some types of heavy equipment are better suited for other tasks. This is especially true for grader operator jobs, as these workers typically need a large work area to operate the graders to their full potential. For the grader operator, road construction is frequently one of these opportunities. Grader operators are frequently called upon to carve long stretches of road out of fields and woodlands.
Many grader operator jobs are available in traditional construction areas, such as home construction. When subdivisions are built, graders are needed to lay out the roads and access roads to and from existing roads and highways. A grader operator is occasionally employed lumber mills to create logging trails that allow log trucks to access timber cutting sites. Working on the side of a mountain or in extremely remote locations is common in these jobs. These jobs typically pay well, in part because of the extreme nature of the role.
Another area where grader operators can command a high wage is airports. This type of job is frequently funded the government and pays a prevailing wage. This is a set of minimum pay requirements that must be met the project’s general contractor. Occasionally, this job is associated with a highway construction project. This is due to the need for entrance and exit roads, as well as to accommodate the expected high volume of traffic to and from the airport.
Workers willing to work on snow removal crews are offered grader operator jobs in certain cold-weather climates. A grader with a large V-plow on the front of the machine is frequently used to clear rural roads. This machine is well-suited for snow removal due to its long wheelbase and superior traction when compared to many trucks. The use of a grader as a snow removal machine is also ideal in parking lots and airport runways.