Excavator operator vs laydown machine operator

The differences between excavator operators and laydown machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an excavator operator, becoming a laydown machine operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an excavator operator has an average salary of $46,102, which is higher than the $33,663 average annual salary of a laydown machine operator.

The top three skills for an excavator operator include CDL, OSHA and backhoe. The most important skills for a laydown machine operator are rig, RAN, and drill pipe.

Excavator operator vs laydown machine operator overview

	Excavator Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$46,102	$33,663
Hourly rate	$22.16	$16.18
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	36,584	53,653
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	4	2

Excavator operator vs laydown machine operator salary

Excavator operators and laydown machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Excavator Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Average salary	$46,102	$33,663
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $62,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	-
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	-
Best paying company	Roto	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between excavator operator and laydown machine operator education

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

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

Excavator operator vs laydown machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between excavator operators' and laydown machine operators' demographics:

	Excavator Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%
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, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between excavator operator and laydown machine 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

Laydown machine operator example responsibilities.

Operate jetco, ditchwitch, and vermer trenchers digging ditch and back filling ditch.
Work the rig floor operating break out tongs, v door, pulling slips and also roll pipe.
Demonstrate proficiency in operation of backhoe, trenchers, boom and dump truck.
Go to drilling rig, laid down drilling pipe and collars and pick up casing.
Rig the machine up and run casing to and from various types of oil rigs.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.

Excavator operator vs laydown machine operator skills

Common excavator operator skills

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

Common laydown machine operator skills

Rig, 58%
RAN, 16%
Drill Pipe, 11%
DOT Regulations, 7%
JSA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

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Excavator Operator
Excavator Operator vs Laydown Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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