Baler vs chopper operator

The differences between balers and chopper operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chopper operator has an average salary of $37,989, which is higher than the $31,924 average annual salary of a baler.

Baler vs chopper operator overview

	Baler	Chopper Operator
Yearly salary	$31,924	$37,989
Hourly rate	$15.35	$18.26
Growth rate	7%	1%
Number of jobs	8,979	30,108
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	43	40
Years of experience	4	-

Baler vs chopper operator salary

Balers and chopper operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Baler	Chopper Operator
Average salary	$31,924	$37,989
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $25,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	North Dakota	-
Best paying company	WestRock	-
Best paying industry	Media	-

Differences between baler and chopper operator education

There are a few differences between a baler and a chopper operator in terms of educational background:

	Baler	Chopper Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Baler vs chopper operator demographics

Here are the differences between balers' and chopper operators' demographics:

	Baler	Chopper Operator
Average age	43	40
Gender ratio	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.3% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 30.1% Asian, 1.8% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	4%	3%

Differences between baler and chopper operator duties and responsibilities

Baler example responsibilities.

Direct and leaded the baling operation.
Clean and inspect balers before they are sold to customers.
Tend automatic machine that stacks bales on pallets for storage or shipment.
Assist coworkers working on other balers to keep them from getting behind.
Operate paper baler/ operate forklift and bobcat, sorting line and perform material inventory.
Operate and troubleshoot automatic stackers.

Chopper operator example responsibilities.

Set up and manage GPS equipment for optimum harvesting efficiency.
Learned to operate rake and form windrows for balers.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.

Baler vs chopper operator skills

Common baler skills

Pallets, 49%
Baling, 39%
Waste Paper, 4%
RAN, 2%
Tow Motor, 1%
Balers, 1%

Common chopper operator skills

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Baler vs Chopper Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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