Excavator operator vs scoop operator

The differences between excavator 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 operator and a scoop operator. Additionally, an excavator operator has an average salary of $46,102, which is higher than the $37,210 average annual salary of a scoop operator.

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

Excavator operator vs scoop operator overview

	Excavator Operator	Scoop Operator
Yearly salary	$46,102	$37,210
Hourly rate	$22.16	$17.89
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	36,584	29,753
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 71%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Excavator operator vs scoop operator salary

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

	Excavator Operator	Scoop Operator
Average salary	$46,102	$37,210
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $62,000	Between $25,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	-
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	-
Best paying company	Roto	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between excavator operator and scoop operator education

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

	Excavator Operator	Scoop Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 71%
Most common major	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies	General Studies
Most common college	-	-

Excavator operator vs scoop operator demographics

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

	Excavator Operator	Scoop Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%	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 operator and scoop 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

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 operator vs scoop operator skills

Common excavator operator skills

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

Common scoop operator skills

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

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Transportation Industry
Excavator Operator
Excavator Operator vs Scoop Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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