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The differences between excavator operators and 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 operator. Additionally, an excavator operator has an average salary of $46,102, which is higher than the $37,928 average annual salary of an operator.
The top three skills for an excavator operator include CDL, OSHA and backhoe. The most important skills for an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Excavator Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $46,102 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $22.16 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 36,584 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An excavator operator mainly operates heavy construction machinery and equipment such as forklifts and bulldozers. They typically work under the directives of managers or supervisors, adhering to the safety policies and regulations for a safe and efficient workflow. Aside from operating vehicles, they also process documentation, keep records of operations, and maintain the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, as an excavator operator, they must perform regular maintenance checks on vehicles and machines, performing basic repairs when needed.
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
Excavator operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Excavator Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $46,102 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $62,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Roto | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between an excavator operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Excavator Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between excavator operators' and operators' demographics:
| Excavator Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| 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, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |