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Excavator vs back digger operator

The differences between excavators 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 and a back digger operator. Additionally, an excavator has an average salary of $48,403, which is higher than the $37,718 average annual salary of a back digger operator.

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

Excavator vs back digger operator overview

ExcavatorBack Digger Operator
Yearly salary$48,403$37,718
Hourly rate$23.27$18.13
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs52131,523
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 67%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Excavator vs back digger operator salary

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

ExcavatorBack Digger Operator
Average salary$48,403$37,718
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $65,000Between $26,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between excavator and back digger operator education

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

ExcavatorBack Digger Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%High School Diploma, 67%
Most common majorAnthropologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Excavator vs back digger operator demographics

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

ExcavatorBack Digger Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 82.3% Female, 17.7%Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between excavator and back digger operator duties and responsibilities

Excavator example responsibilities.

  • Lead excavation crews in underground plumbing jobs.
  • cat d6t tremble gps dozer.
  • Determine GPS coordinates on site.
  • Install natural gas pipeline, run a excuvator to dig ditch and tie in pipe.
  • Perform shovel tests, artifact identification and excavations.
  • Assist graduate and doctoral researchers on archaeological excavations of ancient Maya ruins.
  • Show more

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 vs back digger operator skills

Common excavator skills
  • Asphalt, 25%
  • CDL, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Shovels, 6%
Common back digger operator skills
  • Hand Tools, 44%
  • PPE, 35%
  • Safety Procedures, 14%
  • CDL License, 7%

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