Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between equipment operators/labour and grader 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 a grader operator. Additionally, a grader operator has an average salary of $46,011, 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 a grader operator are asphalt, CDL, and OSHA.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Grader Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,959 | $46,011 |
| Hourly rate | $16.33 | $22.12 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 60,770 | 35,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| 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.
A grader operator's main task is to operate a grader machine and any other heavy machinery that prepares roads for paving. He/She operates a grader that's self-propelled in spreading gravel, dirt, or stone when constructing roads. A grader operator maintains the grader machine, adheres to all safety practices, and inspects the machine daily. He/She also ensures the security of the machine and that it's well maintained. As a grader operator, your job may also involve carrying out routine checks on the machine to look out for worn parts, leaks, blades, etc.
Equipment operators/labour and grader operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Grader Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,959 | $46,011 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $35,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | MDU Resources | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between an equipment operator/labour and a grader operator in terms of educational background:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Grader Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between equipment operators/labour' and grader operators' demographics:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Grader Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1% |
| 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, 8.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |