Dragline operator vs heavy machine operator

The differences between dragline operators and heavy machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a dragline operator and a heavy machine operator. Additionally, a dragline operator has an average salary of $38,382, which is higher than the $38,232 average annual salary of a heavy machine operator.

The top three skills for a dragline operator include MSHA, loaders and . The most important skills for a heavy machine operator are cranes, preventative maintenance, and CNC.

Dragline operator vs heavy machine operator overview

	Dragline Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$38,382	$38,232
Hourly rate	$18.45	$18.38
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	30,148	73,011
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Dragline operator vs heavy machine operator salary

Dragline operators and heavy machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dragline Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average salary	$38,382	$38,232
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $56,000	Between $29,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between dragline operator and heavy machine operator education

There are a few differences between a dragline operator and a heavy machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Dragline Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Dragline operator vs heavy machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between dragline operators' and heavy machine operators' demographics:

	Dragline Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 98.4% Female, 1.6%	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%
Race ratio	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%	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 dragline operator and heavy machine operator duties and responsibilities

Dragline operator example responsibilities.

wheel loaders, dozers and dragling, also complete tasks in welding and working on kenworth dump trucks.
Have ran draglines, trackhoes, backhoes, dozers, versahandlers, crains, and directional bore drilling equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Load and unload merchandise from trucksDaily equipment checksDispose of waste following DHEC regulations

Heavy machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Dig trenches and level earth to grade specification, using pick, shovel and backhoe.
Operate heavy machinery, manual labor and assisting crew where need; CDL driving for certain jobs
Operate excavation and loading machines equip with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig gravel and earth.
Make excavations and load different material using a loader.
Load & unload trucks with forklift or bobcat for outbound delivery.

Dragline operator vs heavy machine operator skills

Common dragline operator skills

MSHA, 55%
Loaders, 45%

Common heavy machine operator skills

Cranes, 13%
Preventative Maintenance, 13%
CNC, 12%
Grinders, 12%
Troubleshoot, 11%
Load Trucks, 6%

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Dragline Operator
Dragline Operator vs Heavy Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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