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The differences between equipment operators/labour and heavy 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 a heavy equipment operator. Additionally, a heavy equipment operator has an average salary of $39,822, 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 heavy equipment operator are loaders, backhoe, and CDL.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Heavy Equipment Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,959 | $39,822 |
| Hourly rate | $16.33 | $19.15 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 60,770 | 47,261 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.6 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| 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.
Heavy equipment operators are skilled workers who are trained to handle heavy equipment. They are usually in the construction industry. Some of the equipment they operate are forklifts, bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes, excavation machines, and mixer trucks. Heavy equipment operators are knowledgeable about the ins and outs of their equipment and are expected to be able to do basic repair and maintenance. They should also be able to recommend more complex repairs and maintenance work needed. Heavy equipment operators must adhere to health and safety protocols at all times.
Equipment operators/labour and heavy equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Heavy Equipment Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,959 | $39,822 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $27,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hartford, CT | Trenton, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | MDU Resources | Moody's |
| Best paying industry | Education | Energy |
There are a few differences between an equipment operator/labour and a heavy equipment operator in terms of educational background:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Heavy Equipment Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between equipment operators/labour' and heavy equipment operators' demographics:
| Equipment Operator/Labour | Heavy Equipment Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7% | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% |
| 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, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |