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The differences between equipment operators and cdl 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, becoming a cdl driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a cdl driver has an average salary of $63,112, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.
The top three skills for an equipment operator include CDL, loaders and asphalt. The most important skills for a cdl driver are DOT, CDL-A, and customer service.
| Equipment Operator | CDL Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $31,739 | $63,112 |
| Hourly rate | $15.26 | $30.34 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 62,473 | 784,044 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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.
A CDL driver is responsible for the transportation of goods from the manufacturing warehouse to specific store locations. CDL drivers' duties include inspecting the items before and after the delivery to ensure that the orders are correct with the right quantity, providing proof of delivery from the receiving customers, following the delivery schedule and report any delays immediately, monitoring the vehicle's engine for efficiency, and escalating concerns of incorrect deliveries and defective items. A CDL driver must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills, following safety procedures and road rules at all times.
Equipment operators and cdl drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equipment Operator | CDL Driver | |
| Average salary | $31,739 | $63,112 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $40,000 | Between $41,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Indianapolis, IN | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Nelsen Partners | GCP Applied Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Retail |
There are a few differences between an equipment operator and a cdl driver in terms of educational background:
| Equipment Operator | CDL Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between equipment operators' and cdl drivers' demographics:
| Equipment Operator | CDL Driver | |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0% | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |