Excavator backhoe operator vs dragline operator

The differences between excavator backhoe operators and dragline 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 dragline operator. Additionally, an excavator backhoe operator has an average salary of $45,041, which is higher than the $38,382 average annual salary of a dragline operator.

The top three skills for an excavator backhoe operator include CDL, safety procedures and asphalt. The most important skills for a dragline operator are MSHA, loaders, and .

Excavator backhoe operator vs dragline operator overview

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Dragline Operator
Yearly salary	$45,041	$38,382
Hourly rate	$21.65	$18.45
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	35,352	30,148
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 60%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Excavator backhoe operator vs dragline operator salary

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

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Dragline Operator
Average salary	$45,041	$38,382
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $60,000	Between $26,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between excavator backhoe operator and dragline operator education

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

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Dragline Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 60%
Most common major	Business	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies
Most common college	-	-

Excavator backhoe operator vs dragline operator demographics

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

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Dragline Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4%	Male, 98.4% Female, 1.6%
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 dragline 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.

Dragline operator example responsibilities.

wheel loaders, dozers and dragling, also complete tasks in welding and working on kenworth dump trucks.
Have ran draglines, trackhoes, backhoes, dozers, versahandlers, crains, and directional bore drilling equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Load and unload merchandise from trucksDaily equipment checksDispose of waste following DHEC regulations

Excavator backhoe operator vs dragline operator skills

Common excavator backhoe operator skills

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

Common dragline operator skills

MSHA, 55%
Loaders, 45%

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Excavator Backhoe Operator
Excavator Backhoe Operator vs Dragline Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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