Equipment operator vs equipment operator-driver

The differences between equipment operators and equipment operators-driver can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an equipment operator and an equipment operator-driver. Additionally, an equipment operator-driver has an average salary of $36,429, 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 an equipment operator-driver are CDL, dump truck, and loaders.

Equipment operator vs equipment operator-driver overview

	Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Yearly salary	$31,739	$36,429
Hourly rate	$15.26	$17.51
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	62,473	607,301
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Equipment operator vs equipment operator-driver salary

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

	Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average salary	$31,739	$36,429
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $28,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Indianapolis, IN	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	Nelsen Partners	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between equipment operator and equipment operator-driver education

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

	Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Equipment operator vs equipment operator-driver demographics

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

	Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
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, 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	2%	2%

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

Equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate track loader, dozer, excavator, track skid loader, rubber tire loader, and haul truck as assigned.
Operate heavy equipment including loaders and rollers.
Operate bulldozers, compactors, and scrapers for residential land development
Work include backhoe operation, equipment operation, landscaping and snow removal
Operate backhoes and trench diggers.

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.

Equipment operator vs equipment operator-driver skills

Common equipment operator skills

CDL, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Asphalt, 5%
Backhoe, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
Safety Rules, 4%

Common equipment operator-driver skills

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

Equipment Operator vs. similar jobs

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Construction and Extraction Industry
Equipment Operator
Equipment Operator vs Equipment Operator-Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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