Back digger operator vs excavator operator

The differences between back digger operators and excavator operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a back digger operator and an excavator operator. Additionally, an excavator operator has an average salary of $46,102, which is higher than the $37,718 average annual salary of a back digger operator.

The top three skills for a back digger operator include hand tools, PPE and safety procedures. The most important skills for an excavator operator are CDL, OSHA, and backhoe.

Back digger operator vs excavator operator overview

	Back Digger Operator	Excavator Operator
Yearly salary	$37,718	$46,102
Hourly rate	$18.13	$22.16
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	31,523	36,584
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 67%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Back digger operator vs excavator operator salary

Back digger operators and excavator operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Back Digger Operator	Excavator Operator
Average salary	$37,718	$46,102
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $54,000	Between $33,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Roto
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between back digger operator and excavator operator education

There are a few differences between a back digger operator and an excavator operator in terms of educational background:

	Back Digger Operator	Excavator Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 67%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering Technology	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies
Most common college	-	-

Back digger operator vs excavator operator demographics

Here are the differences between back digger operators' and excavator operators' demographics:

	Back Digger Operator	Excavator Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between back digger operator and excavator operator duties and responsibilities

Back digger operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

Excavator operator example responsibilities.

Experience in operating heavy equipment including excavators, front end loaders, skid loaders, tractors, etc.
Obtain CDL with Hazmat and tanker endorsements.
Create safe slopes and proper barricading during excavations.
Locate under grind utilitys via blue print GPS mapdata.
Position is a laborer working on the mowing crew.
Dig safe bell holes that meet osha standards and company policy standards

Back digger operator vs excavator operator skills

Common back digger operator skills

Hand Tools, 44%
PPE, 35%
Safety Procedures, 14%
CDL License, 7%

Common excavator operator skills

CDL, 12%
OSHA, 10%
Backhoe, 9%
Manual Labor, 8%
Asphalt, 6%
Plumbing, 6%

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Back Digger Operator vs Excavator Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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