How To Become An Excavator Backhoe Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is an excavator backhoe operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average excavator backhoe operator salary is $45,041. The most common degree is a high school diploma degree with an business major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become an excavator backhoe operator. Excavator backhoe operators with a OSHA Safety Certificate certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 32,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreExcavator Backhoe OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.5

Avg. Salary $45,041

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.6

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

10.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.27%

Asian 2.55%

Black or African American 9.24%

Hispanic or Latino 16.02%

Unknown 3.67%

White 67.25%

Gender

female 2.39%

male 97.61%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an excavator backhoe operator

Explore excavator backhoe operator education requirements

Most common excavator backhoe operator degrees

High School Diploma

58.5 %

Associate

13.7 %

Diploma

13.1 %

Start to develop specific excavator backhoe operator skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	14.00%
Safety Procedures	9.81%
Asphalt	9.57%
OSHA	9.54%
Manual Labor	7.71%

Complete relevant excavator backhoe operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New excavator backhoe operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an excavator backhoe operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real excavator backhoe operator resumes.

Research excavator backhoe operator duties and responsibilities

General mowing and weed eating.
Maintain park grounds through litter policing, mowing and trimming.
Operate all equipment: backhoe, skidsteer; mowers; tractors; dumptruck; aerators.
Operate machinery equip with shovels, scoops, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.

Prepare your excavator backhoe operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your excavator backhoe operator resume.

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