Baler vs fertilizer applicator

The differences between balers and fertilizer applicators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fertilizer applicator has an average salary of $46,570, which is higher than the $31,924 average annual salary of a baler.

The top three skills for a baler include pallets, baling and waste paper. The most important skills for a fertilizer applicator are CDL, GPS, and mowing.

Baler vs fertilizer applicator overview

	Baler	Fertilizer Applicator
Yearly salary	$31,924	$46,570
Hourly rate	$15.35	$22.39
Growth rate	7%	1%
Number of jobs	8,979	2,969
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	43	40
Years of experience	4	-

Baler vs fertilizer applicator salary

Balers and fertilizer applicators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Baler	Fertilizer Applicator
Average salary	$31,924	$46,570
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $23,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	North Dakota	-
Best paying company	WestRock	-
Best paying industry	Media	-

Differences between baler and fertilizer applicator education

There are a few differences between a baler and a fertilizer applicator in terms of educational background:

	Baler	Fertilizer Applicator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Business	Plant Sciences
Most common college	-	-

Baler vs fertilizer applicator demographics

Here are the differences between balers' and fertilizer applicators' demographics:

	Baler	Fertilizer Applicator
Average age	43	40
Gender ratio	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
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, 3.1% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 1.7% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	4%	3%

Differences between baler and fertilizer applicator 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.

Fertilizer applicator example responsibilities.

Load and unload chemicals, mix herbicide, fill sprayers and used GPS and GIS systems.
Preform all troubleshooting and diagnostics for termite infestations.
Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.

Baler vs fertilizer applicator skills

Common baler skills

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

Common fertilizer applicator skills

CDL, 60%
GPS, 39%
Mowing, 1%
Application Equipment, 1%

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Baler vs Fertilizer Applicator

Updated January 8, 2025

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