Custom harvester vs chopper operator

The differences between custom harvesters 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 $32,135 average annual salary of a custom harvester.

Custom harvester vs chopper operator overview

	Custom Harvester	Chopper Operator
Yearly salary	$32,135	$37,989
Hourly rate	$15.45	$18.26
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	1,003	30,108
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Custom harvester vs chopper operator salary

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

	Custom Harvester	Chopper Operator
Average salary	$32,135	$37,989
Salary range	Between $17,000 And $58,000	Between $25,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between custom harvester and chopper operator education

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

	Custom Harvester	Chopper Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Custom harvester vs chopper operator demographics

Here are the differences between custom harvesters' and chopper operators' demographics:

	Custom Harvester	Chopper Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 25.2% Asian, 1.8% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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	3%	3%

Differences between custom harvester and chopper operator duties and responsibilities

Custom harvester example responsibilities.

Set up and manage GPS equipment for optimum harvesting efficiency.
Attach farm implements such as plows, discs, sprayers, or harvesters to tractors, using bolts and hand tools.
Ensure DNR compliance by maintaining different lakes according to specifications.

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.

Custom harvester vs chopper operator skills

Common custom harvester skills

Harvest, 79%
CDL, 21%

Common chopper operator skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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