Driver-utility worker vs equipment operator-driver

The differences between driver-utility workers and equipment operators-driver can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a driver-utility worker, becoming an equipment operator-driver takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an equipment operator-driver has an average salary of $36,429, which is higher than the $32,043 average annual salary of a driver-utility worker.

The top three skills for a driver-utility worker include CDL, DOT and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for an equipment operator-driver are CDL, dump truck, and loaders.

Driver-utility worker vs equipment operator-driver overview

	Driver-Utility Worker	Equipment Operator-Driver
Yearly salary	$32,043	$36,429
Hourly rate	$15.41	$17.51
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	896,358	607,301
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	48	45
Years of experience	2	4

Driver-utility worker vs equipment operator-driver salary

Driver-utility workers and equipment operators-driver have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Driver-Utility Worker	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average salary	$32,043	$36,429
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $41,000	Between $28,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Fargo, ND	-
Highest paying state	Montana	-
Best paying company	Rich Products	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between driver-utility worker and equipment operator-driver education

There are a few differences between a driver-utility worker and an equipment operator-driver in terms of educational background:

	Driver-Utility Worker	Equipment Operator-Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Driver-utility worker vs equipment operator-driver demographics

Here are the differences between driver-utility workers' and equipment operators-driver' demographics:

	Driver-Utility Worker	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average age	48	45
Gender ratio	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between driver-utility worker and equipment operator-driver duties and responsibilities

Driver-utility worker example responsibilities.

Load truck with appropriate product and deliver accordingly, return to warehouse for receiving and other warehouse duties including monthly inventory.
Used bulldozer to move/push unnecessary build out of vehicles ways.
Load cafeteria trays/silverware/cookware into commercial dishwasher.

Equipment operator-driver example responsibilities.

Deliver hazmat material to job site.
Operate airfield/street sweepers to remove debris from pavement surfaces.
Unload full pallets and double pallets of groceries and merchandise.
Landscape, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and bushes.
Arrive at and depart from pickup and discharge points as required.
Conduct pre and post trip inspections and regularly service the vehicles.

Driver-utility worker vs equipment operator-driver skills

Common driver-utility worker skills

CDL, 46%
DOT, 17%
Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
Safety Regulations, 5%
GPS, 3%
Customer Orders, 3%

Common equipment operator-driver skills

CDL, 23%
Dump Truck, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Tractor Trailer, 5%
DOT, 5%
Post-Trip Inspections, 4%

Driver-Utility Worker vs. similar jobs

Driver-Utility Worker related careers

Driver-Utility Worker related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Driver-Utility Worker
Driver-Utility Worker vs Equipment Operator-Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs