Fertilizer applicator vs chopper operator

The differences between fertilizer applicators and chopper operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fertilizer applicator has an average salary of $46,570, which is higher than the $37,989 average annual salary of a chopper operator.

Fertilizer applicator vs chopper operator overview

	Fertilizer Applicator	Chopper Operator
Yearly salary	$46,570	$37,989
Hourly rate	$22.39	$18.26
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	2,969	30,108
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

Fertilizer applicator vs chopper operator salary

Fertilizer applicators and chopper operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fertilizer Applicator	Chopper Operator
Average salary	$46,570	$37,989
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $90,000	Between $25,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between fertilizer applicator and chopper operator education

There are a few differences between a fertilizer applicator and a chopper operator in terms of educational background:

	Fertilizer Applicator	Chopper Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 39%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	Plant Sciences	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fertilizer applicator vs chopper operator demographics

Here are the differences between fertilizer applicators' and chopper operators' demographics:

	Fertilizer Applicator	Chopper Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 1.7% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 30.1% Asian, 1.8% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between fertilizer applicator and chopper operator duties and responsibilities

Fertilizer applicator example responsibilities.

Load and unload chemicals, mix herbicide, fill sprayers and used GPS and GIS systems.
Preform all troubleshooting and diagnostics for termite infestations.
Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.

Chopper operator example responsibilities.

Set up and manage GPS equipment for optimum harvesting efficiency.
Learned to operate rake and form windrows for balers.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.

Fertilizer applicator vs chopper operator skills

Common fertilizer applicator skills

CDL, 60%
GPS, 39%
Mowing, 1%
Application Equipment, 1%

Common chopper operator skills

Fertilizer Applicator vs. similar jobs

Fertilizer Applicator related careers

Fertilizer Applicator related jobs

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Fertilizer Applicator vs Chopper Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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