Excavator backhoe operator vs scoop operator

The differences between excavator backhoe operators and scoop 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 scoop operator. Additionally, an excavator backhoe operator has an average salary of $45,041, which is higher than the $37,210 average annual salary of a scoop operator.

The top three skills for an excavator backhoe operator include CDL, safety procedures and asphalt. The most important skills for a scoop operator are safety rules, RAN, and scoops.

Excavator backhoe operator vs scoop operator overview

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Scoop Operator
Yearly salary	$45,041	$37,210
Hourly rate	$21.65	$17.89
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	35,352	29,753
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 71%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Excavator backhoe operator vs scoop operator salary

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

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Scoop Operator
Average salary	$45,041	$37,210
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $60,000	Between $25,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between excavator backhoe operator and scoop operator education

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

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Scoop Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 71%
Most common major	Business	General Studies
Most common college	-	-

Excavator backhoe operator vs scoop operator demographics

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

	Excavator Backhoe Operator	Scoop Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4%	Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5%
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 scoop 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.

Scoop operator example responsibilities.

Attain MSHA certificates on all personally operate equipment.
Hex, motor graders, rubber tire dozer and are the relief shovel hand.
Operate scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift, road grader.
Certify on Dozers, loaders, motor graders, excavators, rubber tires and haul trucks.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Maintain proper communication with management and frac crews on/off-site.

Excavator backhoe operator vs scoop operator skills

Common excavator backhoe operator skills

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

Common scoop operator skills

Safety Rules, 46%
RAN, 22%
Scoops, 16%
Shovels, 9%
MIG, 7%

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Excavator Backhoe Operator
Excavator Backhoe Operator vs Scoop Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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