Equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator

The differences between equipment operators and heavy machinery operators 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 a heavy machinery operator. Additionally, an equipment operator has an average salary of $31,739, which is higher than the $31,351 average annual salary of a heavy machinery operator.

The top three skills for an equipment operator include CDL, loaders and asphalt. The most important skills for a heavy machinery operator are dump truck, backhoe, and load trucks.

Equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator overview

	Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Yearly salary	$31,739	$31,351
Hourly rate	$15.26	$15.07
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	62,473	37,580
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator salary

Equipment operators and heavy machinery operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Average salary	$31,739	$31,351
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Indianapolis, IN	Reedley, CA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Alaska
Best paying company	Nelsen Partners	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	Energy	Automotive

Differences between equipment operator and heavy machinery operator education

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

	Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator demographics

Here are the differences between equipment operators' and heavy machinery operators' demographics:

	Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%
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 heavy machinery operator 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.

Heavy machinery operator example responsibilities.

Used heavy machinery such as a bobcat, backhoe and forklift to move asphalt or material.
Operate CNC lathe along with several other pieces of machinery equipment.
Operate backhoe to excavate excess water/mud to build barriers to prevent a spill over onto roads and residential area.
Start engines, move throttle switch and levers, such as bulldozers, road graders and backhoes and relate machines.
Operate light machinery including bulldozers and maintainers
Reviewed/Approve area assessment reports and corrective action plans assuring compliance with applicable OSHA and EPA regulatory guidance.

Equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator skills

Common equipment operator skills

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

Common heavy machinery operator skills

Dump Truck, 15%
Backhoe, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Front End Loader, 7%
CDL, 6%
Bobcat, 6%

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Equipment Operator
Equipment Operator vs Heavy Machinery Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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