Crane helper vs heavy equipment operator

The differences between crane helpers and heavy equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a crane helper has an average salary of $51,583, which is higher than the $39,822 average annual salary of a heavy equipment operator.

The top three skills for a crane helper include load trucks, rig and cranes. The most important skills for a heavy equipment operator are loaders, backhoe, and CDL.

Crane helper vs heavy equipment operator overview

	Crane Helper	Heavy Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$51,583	$39,822
Hourly rate	$24.80	$19.15
Growth rate	-	5%
Number of jobs	13,954	47,261
Job satisfaction	-	4.6
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 75%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	41	45
Years of experience	-	4

Crane helper vs heavy equipment operator salary

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

	Crane Helper	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average salary	$51,583	$39,822
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $108,000	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 crane helper and heavy equipment operator education

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

	Crane Helper	Heavy Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 75%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Natural Resources Management	Business
Most common college	-	-

Crane helper vs heavy equipment operator demographics

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

	Crane Helper	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average age	41	45
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	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 crane helper and heavy equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Crane helper example responsibilities.

Utilize DIAD equipment to verify package recipient and obtain recipient signature if necessary.
Utilize DIAD equipment to verify package recipient and obtain recipient signature if necessary.

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.

Crane helper vs heavy equipment operator skills

Common crane helper skills

Load Trucks, 40%
Rig, 35%
Cranes, 25%

Common heavy equipment operator skills

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

Crane Helper vs. similar jobs

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Helper/Driver responsibilities

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Crane Helper
Crane Helper vs Heavy Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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