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The differences between equipment operators/labour and 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 equipment operator. Additionally, an equipment operator/labour has an average salary of $33,959, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.
The top three skills for an equipment operator/labour include backhoe, loaders and dump truck. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Equipment Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,959 | $31,739 |
| Hourly rate | $16.33 | $15.26 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 60,770 | 62,473 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| 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.
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 operators/labour and equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Equipment Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,959 | $31,739 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $24,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | Indianapolis, IN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | MDU Resources | Nelsen Partners |
| Best paying industry | Education | Energy |
There are a few differences between an equipment operator/labour and an equipment operator in terms of educational background:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Equipment Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between equipment operators/labour' and equipment operators' demographics:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Equipment Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |