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Foreman/operator vs heavy equipment operator

The differences between foreman/operators and heavy equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a foreman/operator, becoming a heavy equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a foreman/operator has an average salary of $52,844, which is higher than the $39,822 average annual salary of a heavy equipment operator.

The top three skills for a foreman/operator include backhoe, dozer and sewer lines. The most important skills for a heavy equipment operator are loaders, backhoe, and CDL.

Foreman/operator vs heavy equipment operator overview

Foreman/OperatorHeavy Equipment Operator
Yearly salary$52,844$39,822
Hourly rate$25.41$19.15
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs38,36747,261
Job satisfaction-4.6
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 54%
Average age4645
Years of experience-4

Foreman/operator vs heavy equipment operator salary

Foreman/operators and heavy equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Foreman/OperatorHeavy Equipment Operator
Average salary$52,844$39,822
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $71,000Between $27,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Moody's
Best paying industry-Energy

Differences between foreman/operator and heavy equipment operator education

There are a few differences between a foreman/operator and a heavy equipment operator in terms of educational background:

Foreman/OperatorHeavy Equipment Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Foreman/operator vs heavy equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between foreman/operators' and heavy equipment operators' demographics:

Foreman/OperatorHeavy Equipment Operator
Average age4645
Gender ratioMale, 97.1% Female, 2.9%Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 1.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between foreman/operator and heavy equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Foreman/operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
  • Assist new employees with obtaining CDL license.
  • Perform roof work as needed, collaborate with HVAC crew.
  • Operate dozers, excavator, maintainer, rollers, compactors and backhoes.
  • Instruct personnel in techniques and procedures for installation, repair and operation of HVAC control systems.
  • Unclassify excavations and other day by day activities such as under cuts, structural back fills and clearing operations.
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Heavy equipment operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
  • Operate trucks and equipment such as backhoe, dump trucks, front-end loader, hydraulic excavator, skid steers and bulldozers.
  • Operate heavy equipment including, but limit to, backhoe, excavators, bobcats, forklifts, trucks and wheel loaders.
  • Operate equipment used for construction purposes such as tankers, cranes, bulldozers, loaders, compost mixers and excavators.
  • Put down mulch cut grass, plant and dig up.
  • Work with asphalt, cut down trees, and dig trenches.
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Foreman/operator vs heavy equipment operator skills

Common foreman/operator skills
  • Backhoe, 16%
  • Dozer, 12%
  • Sewer Lines, 8%
  • CDL, 8%
  • Dump Truck, 6%
  • Front End Loader, 5%
Common heavy equipment operator skills
  • Loaders, 9%
  • Backhoe, 6%
  • CDL, 6%
  • Asphalt, 5%
  • Safety Regulations, 5%
  • Dump Truck, 5%

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