Question
We recently moved into a new home w/ a sloping back yard. I would like to create a couple of levels out of this slope.

I am thinking I need to hire an excavator to do this for me. How much, typically, does an excavator charge per hour?

Answer
BJ,

You are smart to bring in an expert to do the heavy work fro you.  How much they charge varies and the only way to find out for your area is to have a couple give you a written estimate for the work you want done.  This is not going to be cheap, but it will save your back.