Auger operator vs heavy equipment operator

The differences between auger operators and heavy equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an auger operator, becoming a heavy equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a heavy equipment operator has an average salary of $39,822, which is higher than the $37,929 average annual salary of an auger operator.

The top three skills for an auger operator include augers, and . The most important skills for a heavy equipment operator are loaders, backhoe, and CDL.

Auger operator vs heavy equipment operator overview

	Auger Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$37,929	$39,822
Hourly rate	$18.24	$19.15
Growth rate	7%	5%
Number of jobs	30,675	47,261
Job satisfaction	-	4.6
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	38	45
Years of experience	2	4

Auger operator vs heavy equipment operator salary

Auger operators and heavy equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Auger Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average salary	$37,929	$39,822
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $56,000	Between $27,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	-	Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Moody's
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between auger operator and heavy equipment operator education

There are a few differences between an auger operator and a heavy equipment operator in terms of educational background:

	Auger Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Auger operator vs heavy equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between auger operators' and heavy equipment operators' demographics:

	Auger Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average age	38	45
Gender ratio	Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 0.8% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	3%	2%

Differences between auger operator and heavy equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Auger operator example responsibilities.

Manage HVAC system and air handling system as far positive pressure systems and negative pressure systems.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Monitor and maintain HVAC system including toxic area cascading ventilation system.

Heavy equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate trucks and equipment such as backhoe, dump trucks, front-end loader, hydraulic excavator, skid steers and bulldozers.
Operate heavy equipment including, but limit to, backhoe, excavators, bobcats, forklifts, trucks and wheel loaders.
Operate equipment used for construction purposes such as tankers, cranes, bulldozers, loaders, compost mixers and excavators.
Put down mulch cut grass, plant and dig up.
Work with asphalt, cut down trees, and dig trenches.

Auger operator vs heavy equipment operator skills

Common auger operator skills

Augers, 100%

Common heavy equipment operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Backhoe, 6%
CDL, 6%
Asphalt, 5%
Safety Regulations, 5%
Dump Truck, 5%

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Auger Operator
Auger Operator vs Heavy Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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