Excavator backhoe operator vs back digger operator

The differences between excavator backhoe operators and back digger 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 excavator backhoe operator and a back digger operator. Additionally, an excavator backhoe operator has an average salary of $45,041, which is higher than the $37,718 average annual salary of a back digger operator.

The top three skills for an excavator backhoe operator include CDL, safety procedures and asphalt. The most important skills for a back digger operator are hand tools, PPE, and safety procedures.

Excavator backhoe operator vs back digger operator overview

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Back Digger Operator
Yearly salary	$45,041	$37,718
Hourly rate	$21.65	$18.13
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	35,352	31,523
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 67%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Excavator backhoe operator vs back digger operator salary

Excavator backhoe operators and back digger operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Back Digger Operator
Average salary	$45,041	$37,718
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $60,000	Between $26,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between excavator backhoe operator and back digger operator education

There are a few differences between an excavator backhoe operator and a back digger operator in terms of educational background:

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Back Digger Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 67%
Most common major	Business	Electrical Engineering Technology
Most common college	-	-

Excavator backhoe operator vs back digger operator demographics

Here are the differences between excavator backhoe operators' and back digger operators' demographics:

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Back Digger Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4%	Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between excavator backhoe operator and back digger operator duties and responsibilities

Excavator backhoe operator example 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.
Operate excavator (pipe crew) digging, sloping trenches, digging in trench boxes and around existing underground utilities.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, and making winter roads.

Back digger operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

Excavator backhoe operator vs back digger operator skills

Common excavator backhoe operator skills

CDL, 14%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Asphalt, 10%
OSHA, 10%
Manual Labor, 8%
Plumbing, 8%

Common back digger operator skills

Hand Tools, 44%
PPE, 35%
Safety Procedures, 14%
CDL License, 7%

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Excavator Backhoe Operator
Excavator Backhoe Operator vs Back Digger Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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