What does an equipment operator do?
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.
Equipment operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real equipment operator resumes:
- 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.
- Perform all JSA and tailgate meetings.
- General maintenance of grounds.Dirt and demolition work.
- Ensure that material is delivered to the roof using ladders, pulleys and ropes.
- Dig holes, using augers, and set poles using digger derrick and power equipment.
- Perform daily JSA'S and keep up with performance sheets of each individual on the crew.
- Shop upkeep, welding, oxygen and acetylene torches, working on and maintaining all equipment.
- Drive any CDL require vehicle and operate all equipment in the oilfield for the extraction of oil.
- DOT regulate position requiring drivers log and daily vehicle inspection duties along with monthly vehicle maintenance records.
- Have driven trucks (no CDL currently) hauling hay, grain, water, equipment and fertilizer.
Equipment operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Equipment Operators are proficient in CDL, Loaders, and Asphalt. They’re also known for soft skills such as Physical strength, Unafraid of heights, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Equipment Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 10%
Included driving equipment from site to site (CDL Required) and ran all equipment including LAS unit & Hydration unit.
- Loaders, 7%
Operated excavators and track loaders to excavate basements and footers in residential developments.
- Asphalt, 5%
Asphalt removal, contaminated soil removal, underground tank removal and insulation
- Backhoe, 5%
Operate Cat, backhoe, front end loader, forklift, lowboy, dump truck, water truck, and excavator Mechanic
- Hand Tools, 5%
Maintained state-owned right-away buildings and travel-way using various hand tools and heavy equipment.
- Safety Rules, 4%
Followed all safety rules, operating instructions, maintenance instructions, technical instructions, procedure manuals and specifications.
Common skills that an equipment operator uses to do their job include "cdl," "loaders," and "asphalt." You can find details on the most important equipment operator responsibilities below.
Physical strength. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an equipment operator to have is physical strength. Their role and responsibilities require that "construction equipment operators may be required to lift more than 50 pounds as part of their duties." Equipment operators often use physical strength in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel. "
Mechanical skills. equipment operators are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to equipment operator responsibilities, because "construction equipment operators often perform basic maintenance on the equipment they operate." An equipment operator resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "perform routine maintenance and minor mechanical adjustments and repairs of motor equipment operated. "
The three companies that hire the most equipment operators are:
- Walmart157 equipment operators jobs
- Tradesmen International97 equipment operators jobs
- Pike87 equipment operators jobs
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Compare different equipment operators
Equipment operator vs. Crew foreman
A crew foreman coordinates the daily activities in a construction site to ensure that operations adhere to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards. They serve as the point of contact for supervisors, clients, and construction workers. They are also in charge of managing construction schedules, conducting assessments and evaluations, hiring staff, training staff, monitoring supplies, and ordering materials. Additionally, they must enforce safety regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an equipment operator are more likely to require skills like "loaders," "asphalt," "safety rules," and "math." On the other hand, a job as a crew foreman requires skills like "good communication," "bucket truck," "construction projects," and "safety equipment." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Crew foremen earn the highest salaries when working in the utilities industry, with an average yearly salary of $53,154. On the other hand, equipment operators are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $38,765.crew foremen tend to reach similar levels of education than equipment operators. In fact, crew foremen are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Equipment operator vs. Mechanical spreader operator
A mechanical spreader operators manage and operate all equipment in various industries where they perform their jobs. The operators work as general mechanics in building HVAC, general building maintenance, and pump station operations. They test electro-mechanical subsystems for operational reliability and circuit integrity. Their job includes promoting quality assurance and performance improvement programs within the organization. Also, they perform an energy audit to improve the efficiency of HVAC energy.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real equipment operator resumes. While equipment operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "loaders," "asphalt," "backhoe," and "osha," mechanical spreader operators use skills like "plumbing," "preventive maintenance," "repair equipment," and "mechanical systems."
On average, mechanical spreader operators earn a higher salary than equipment operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, mechanical spreader operators earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $48,520. Whereas equipment operators have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $38,765.mechanical spreader operators earn similar levels of education than equipment operators in general. They're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Equipment operator vs. Heavy machinery operator
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, equipment operators are more likely to have skills like "loaders," "asphalt," "hand tools," and "safety rules." But a heavy machinery operator is more likely to have skills like "inspect machines," "assembly line," "steer loader," and "machine operation."
Heavy machinery operators make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $36,835. On the other hand, equipment operators are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $38,765.When it comes to education, heavy machinery operators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to equipment operators. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Equipment operator vs. Foreman/operator
Types of equipment operator
Updated January 8, 2025
