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The differences between equipment operators/labour and engineering equipment 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/labour and an engineering equipment operator. Additionally, an engineering equipment operator has an average salary of $43,840, which is higher than the $33,959 average annual salary of an equipment operator/labour.
The top three skills for an equipment operator/labour include backhoe, loaders and dump truck. The most important skills for an engineering equipment operator are end loaders, CDL, and DOT.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,959 | $43,840 |
| Hourly rate | $16.33 | $21.08 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 60,770 | 98,148 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Heavy equipment operators control and drive construction equipment. The operators operate heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, and lift. They are in charge of placing or moving materials and other equipment. Their job covers the inspection, cleanup, lubrication, and refilling of equipment. They should have experience in operating machines. Among the skills necessary for this job include attention to detail, physical strength, knowledge of production procedure, and analytical skills. They should be able to read schematics, manuals, and blueprints.
An engineering equipment operator runs heavy construction machinery. Engineering equipment operators drive and control any construction equipment. Among the equipment they operate are forklifts, cargo trucks, hydraulic truck cranes, dump trucks, backhoes, and bulldozers. They use any of the equipment to provide assistance in structure construction like roads, buildings, and bridges. The operators should be well-trained in doing these duties. They should develop analytical skills, teamwork, physical strength and stamina, attention to detail, and knowledge of the production procedures.
Equipment operators/labour and engineering equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,959 | $43,840 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $31,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | MDU Resources | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Education | Energy |
There are a few differences between an equipment operator/labour and an engineering equipment operator in terms of educational background:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between equipment operators/labour' and engineering equipment operators' demographics:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 0.9% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |