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What does an Equipment Operator/Labour do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does an Equipment Operator/Labour do

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.

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Equipment operator/labour responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real equipment operator/labour resumes:

  • Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
  • Work heavy equipment, cdl, forklift, guard rail crew
  • Perform work that require using pick axes, shovels, and other hand tools.
  • Operate heavy equipment, to include backhoes, rollers, lawn tractors and bulldozers.
  • Dig basements, footings, foundations, trenches for commercial real estate construction contracts.
  • Operate dirt equipment to clear areas dig foundations, pour concrete footers, floors, walls, and snow removal.
  • Perform labor at field & building sites, highway, heavy construction projects, tunnels, shaft excavations & demolition sites.
  • Perform backhoe operation and tamping machine operation.
  • Operate backhoe digging trench for electrical conduit and relate electrical underground installations.
  • Follow all power equipment rules and regulation including any regulatory agency policies to include OSHA.
  • Operate loader, mini excavator, bobcat, used plate tamp, and jumping jack to get grind to proper density.
  • Coordinate and work closely with, military leadership to comply with the military mission and direction.
  • Operate bobcat with attachments: forks, auger, sweeper, snow blower and front bucket.
  • Istart out on a Vermeer 80/100 and working up to Vermeer 100/120 while helping runsupport on Vermeer 200/300.

Equipment operator/labour skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Equipment Operators/Labour are proficient in Backhoe, Loaders, and Dump Truck. 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/Labour that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Backhoe, 9%

    Operate backhoe digging trench for electrical conduit and related electrical underground installations.

  • Loaders, 8%

    Trained in operating various equipment including Backhoes, Track hoes, Front End Loaders, Forklifts, Compactors, and Maintainers.

  • Dump Truck, 6%

    Steel roofing and siding for commercial businesses* Commercial snow removal using bucket loader, dump trucks, and shovels as needed

  • Asphalt, 6%

    Operated heavy machinery equipment and maintained safety while transporting asphalt.

  • Safety Regulations, 6%

    Assisted block and brick layers while following essential safety regulations

  • Load Trucks, 6%

    Drive forklift- Train temps- Load and unload trucks- Properly handle hazardous material- Properly dispose of electronics- Customer Service

"backhoe," "loaders," and "dump truck" are among the most common skills that equipment operators/labour use at work. You can find even more equipment operator/labour responsibilities below, including:

Physical strength. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an equipment operator/labour 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/labour often use physical strength in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed physical labor in areas of heavy construction, demolition. "

Mechanical skills. equipment operators/labour are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to equipment operator/labour responsibilities, because "construction equipment operators often perform basic maintenance on the equipment they operate." An equipment operator/labour resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "performed routine maintenance and moderate mechanical duties. "

See the full list of equipment operator/labour skills

The three companies that hire the most equipment operator/labours are:

Choose from 10+ customizable equipment operator/labour resume templates

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Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
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Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
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Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
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Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume
Equipment Operator/Labour Resume

Compare different equipment operators/labour

Equipment operator/labour vs. Road machine runner

A labour worker is responsible for performing high-quality operations, depending on the chosen industry. In most cases, construction businesses employ labor workers to do physical tasks that involve utilizing machinery, carrying materials, inspecting sites, analyzing blueprints and plan specifications, and ensuring the structures' safety and security. A labour worker also monitors the quality of the materials used for the production, suggests materials that would fit the budget goals, and escalates concerns to the management. Labour workers must adhere to safety regulations and procedures to prevent accidents and injuries within the premises.

If we compare the average equipment operator/labour annual salary with that of a road machine runner, we find that road machine runners typically earn a $48,827 higher salary than equipment operators/labour make annually.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between equipment operators/labour and road machine runner. For instance, equipment operator/labour responsibilities require skills such as "backhoe," "loaders," "dump truck," and "asphalt." Whereas a road machine runner is skilled in "windows," "delivery vehicle," "troubleshoot," and "internet connectivity." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Road machine runners tend to reach similar levels of education than equipment operators/labour. In fact, road machine runners are 4.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Equipment operator/labour vs. Labour worker

Labour worker positions earn lower pay than equipment operator/labour roles. They earn a $3,879 lower salary than equipment operators/labour per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Equipment operators/labour and labour workers both require similar skills like "dump truck," "load trucks," and "construction sites" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, equipment operator/labour responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "backhoe," "loaders," "asphalt," and "safety regulations." Meanwhile, a labour worker has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety procedures," "power drills," "safety rules," and "assembly line." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Labour workers may earn a lower salary than equipment operators/labour, but labour workers earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $33,469. On the other hand, equipment operators/labour receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $38,812.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Labour workers tend to reach similar levels of education than equipment operators/labour. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Equipment operator/labour vs. Motor grader operator

On average, motor grader operators earn higher salaries than equipment operators/labour, with a $13,184 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on equipment operators/labour and motor grader operators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "backhoe," "loaders," and "asphalt.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an equipment operator/labour is likely to be skilled in "dump truck," "safety regulations," "load trucks," and "sewer lines," while a typical motor grader operator is skilled in "grade specifications," "level dirt," "ladders," and "rollers."

Motor grader operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to equipment operators/labour. Specifically, they're 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Equipment operator/labour vs. Heavy machinery operator

Heavy machinery operators tend to earn a lower pay than equipment operators/labour by an average of $2,608 per year.According to resumes from equipment operators/labour and heavy machinery operators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "backhoe," "dump truck," and "safety regulations. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "loaders," "asphalt," "dozer," and "sewer lines" are skills that commonly show up on equipment operator/labour resumes. On the other hand, heavy machinery operators use skills like bobcat, inspect machines, assembly line, and steer loader on their resumes.In general, heavy machinery operators earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $36,835. The highest-paying industry for an equipment operator/labour is the education industry.In general, heavy machinery operators hold similar degree levels compared to equipment operators/labour. Heavy machinery operators are 0.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of equipment operator/labour

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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