Coal equipment operator vs back digger operator

The differences between coal equipment operators and back digger operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a coal equipment operator, becoming a back digger operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a coal equipment operator has an average salary of $43,372, which is higher than the $37,718 average annual salary of a back digger operator.

The top three skills for a coal equipment operator include loaders, end loaders and general maintenance. The most important skills for a back digger operator are hand tools, PPE, and safety procedures.

Coal equipment operator vs back digger operator overview

	Coal Equipment Operator	Back Digger Operator
Yearly salary	$43,372	$37,718
Hourly rate	$20.85	$18.13
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	43,969	31,523
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 67%
Average age	45	43
Years of experience	2	4

Coal equipment operator vs back digger operator salary

Coal equipment operators and back digger operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Coal Equipment Operator	Back Digger Operator
Average salary	$43,372	$37,718
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $56,000	Between $26,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between coal equipment operator and back digger operator education

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

	Coal Equipment Operator	Back Digger Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 67%
Most common major	Mining Engineering	Electrical Engineering Technology
Most common college	-	-

Coal equipment operator vs back digger operator demographics

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

	Coal Equipment Operator	Back Digger Operator
Average age	45	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%	Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%	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 coal equipment operator and back digger operator duties and responsibilities

Coal equipment operator example responsibilities.

Operate loaders, bulldozers, and dump truck
Operate loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, road grader.
Drive a truck with a capacity of at least 80,000 GVW, to transport coal and rock in loose form.
Follow all power equipment rules and regulation including any regulatory agency policies to include OSHA.
Operate loader, bulldozer, crane and maintain all coal and limestone conveyor belts
Manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients using GMP format and aseptic techniques.

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.

Coal equipment operator vs back digger operator skills

Common coal equipment operator skills

Loaders, 47%
End Loaders, 20%
General Maintenance, 18%
Bulldozers, 11%
Fuel Samples, 5%

Common back digger operator skills

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

Coal Equipment Operator vs. similar jobs

Coal Equipment Operator related careers

Coal Equipment Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Construction and Extraction Industry
Coal Equipment Operator
Coal Equipment Operator vs Back Digger Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse construction and extraction jobs