Excavator operator vs excavator backhoe operator

The differences between excavator operators and excavator backhoe 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 operator and an excavator backhoe operator. Additionally, an excavator operator has an average salary of $46,102, which is higher than the $45,041 average annual salary of an excavator backhoe operator.

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

Excavator operator vs excavator backhoe operator overview

	Excavator Operator	Excavator Backhoe Operator
Yearly salary	$46,102	$45,041
Hourly rate	$22.16	$21.65
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	36,584	35,352
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Excavator operator vs excavator backhoe operator salary

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

	Excavator Operator	Excavator Backhoe Operator
Average salary	$46,102	$45,041
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $62,000	Between $33,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	-
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	-
Best paying company	Roto	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between excavator operator and excavator backhoe operator education

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

	Excavator Operator	Excavator Backhoe Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Excavator operator vs excavator backhoe operator demographics

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

	Excavator Operator	Excavator Backhoe Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%	Male, 97.6% Female, 2.4%
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 operator and excavator backhoe operator duties and responsibilities

Excavator operator example responsibilities.

Experience in operating heavy equipment including excavators, front end loaders, skid loaders, tractors, etc.
Obtain CDL with Hazmat and tanker endorsements.
Create safe slopes and proper barricading during excavations.
Locate under grind utilitys via blue print GPS mapdata.
Position is a laborer working on the mowing crew.
Dig safe bell holes that meet osha standards and company policy standards

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.

Excavator operator vs excavator backhoe operator skills

Common excavator operator skills

CDL, 12%
OSHA, 10%
Backhoe, 9%
Manual Labor, 8%
Asphalt, 6%
Plumbing, 6%

Common excavator backhoe operator skills

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

Excavator Operator vs. similar jobs

Excavator Operator related careers

Excavator Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Excavator Operator
Excavator Operator vs Excavator Backhoe Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs