Post job

Crew foreman vs equipment operator

The differences between crew foremen and equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a crew foreman, becoming an equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a crew foreman has an average salary of $51,929, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.

The top three skills for a crew foreman include CDL, customer service and hand tools. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.

Crew foreman vs equipment operator overview

Crew ForemanEquipment Operator
Yearly salary$51,929$31,739
Hourly rate$24.97$15.26
Growth rate-3%5%
Number of jobs70,46862,473
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age4645
Years of experience-4

What does a crew foreman do?

A crew foreman coordinates the daily activities in a construction site to ensure that operations adhere to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards. They serve as the point of contact for supervisors, clients, and construction workers. They are also in charge of managing construction schedules, conducting assessments and evaluations, hiring staff, training staff, monitoring supplies, and ordering materials. Additionally, they must enforce safety regulations.

What does an equipment operator do?

Equipment operators are employees who are assigned to work on specific company equipment. They are skilled workers trained to handle all aspects of the particular equipment, from basic operating to repairing. They use the equipment and ensure that safety standards are being followed. Aside from managing the equipment, they are also in charge of repairs and maintenance. They are responsible for ensuring that the machine works properly, troubleshooting if there are challenges encountered, and repairing any problems. Equipment operators are reliable, trustworthy, and attentive.

Crew foreman vs equipment operator salary

Crew foremen and equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Crew ForemanEquipment Operator
Average salary$51,929$31,739
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $64,000Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityMarshfield, MAIndianapolis, IN
Highest paying stateNew YorkConnecticut
Best paying companyGeneral Dynamics Mission SystemsNelsen Partners
Best paying industryUtilitiesEnergy

Differences between crew foreman and equipment operator education

There are a few differences between a crew foreman and an equipment operator in terms of educational background:

Crew ForemanEquipment Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Crew foreman vs equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between crew foremen' and equipment operators' demographics:

Crew ForemanEquipment Operator
Average age4645
Gender ratioMale, 96.3% Female, 3.7%Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 1.5% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between crew foreman and equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Crew foreman example responsibilities.

  • Manage construction of sheet metal installation and HVAC systems of commercial facilities including construction of storefronts and mechanical rooms.
  • Vacuum, shampoo and spot clean carpets and furniture; wash windows.
  • Install all types of roofing, siding, fascia, windows, drywall ,
  • Earn CDL license and operate machinery to assist in building the barns and sheds.
  • Work on lighting retrofit projects replacing lamps and wiring ballasts to improve energy efficiency.
  • Operate excavator, bulldozer, backhoe, and wheel loader, on a pipe crew.
  • Show more

Equipment operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
  • Operate track loader, dozer, excavator, track skid loader, rubber tire loader, and haul truck as assigned.
  • Operate heavy equipment including loaders and rollers.
  • Operate bulldozers, compactors, and scrapers for residential land development
  • Work include backhoe operation, equipment operation, landscaping and snow removal
  • Operate backhoes and trench diggers.
  • Show more

Crew foreman vs equipment operator skills

Common crew foreman skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 9%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Good Communication, 5%
Common equipment operator skills
  • CDL, 10%
  • Loaders, 7%
  • Asphalt, 5%
  • Backhoe, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Safety Rules, 4%

Browse construction and extraction jobs