Equipment operator-driver vs truck driver

The differences between equipment operators-driver and truck drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an equipment operator-driver, becoming a truck driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $36,429 average annual salary of an equipment operator-driver.

The top three skills for an equipment operator-driver include CDL, dump truck and loaders. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.

Equipment operator-driver vs truck driver overview

	Equipment Operator-Driver	Truck Driver
Yearly salary	$36,429	$60,326
Hourly rate	$17.51	$29.00
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	607,301	827,858
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	45	48
Years of experience	4	2

Equipment operator-driver vs truck driver salary

Equipment operators-driver and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Equipment Operator-Driver	Truck Driver
Average salary	$36,429	$60,326
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $46,000	Between $40,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	-	Wilmington, DE
Highest paying state	-	Delaware
Best paying company	-	W. R. Grace & Co
Best paying industry	-	Retail

Differences between equipment operator-driver and truck driver education

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

	Equipment Operator-Driver	Truck Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Equipment operator-driver vs truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between equipment operators-driver' and truck drivers' demographics:

	Equipment Operator-Driver	Truck Driver
Average age	45	48
Gender ratio	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	4%

Differences between equipment operator-driver and truck driver duties and responsibilities

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.

Truck driver example responsibilities.

Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
Flatb loads including steel and specialty metals, pipe, refractory brick, commercial building materials, lumber and equipment.
Follow all HAZMAT regulations while transporting hazardous materials.
Utilize appropriate PPE at all times.
Dedicate run from Tennessee to California with LTL.
Used proper PPE and safety equipment when need.

Equipment operator-driver vs truck driver skills

Common equipment operator-driver skills

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

Common truck driver skills

CDL, 47%
OTR, 12%
DOT, 10%
PET, 6%
Hazmat, 4%
Customer Service, 4%

Equipment Operator-Driver vs. similar jobs

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Equipment Operator-Driver vs Truck Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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