Heavy equipment operator vs crane operator

The differences between heavy equipment operators and crane operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a heavy equipment operator and a crane operator. Additionally, a crane operator has an average salary of $54,275, which is higher than the $39,822 average annual salary of a heavy equipment operator.

The top three skills for a heavy equipment operator include loaders, backhoe and CDL. The most important skills for a crane operator are cranes, NCCCO, and CDL.

Heavy equipment operator vs crane operator overview

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$39,822	$54,275
Hourly rate	$19.15	$26.09
Growth rate	5%	7%
Number of jobs	47,261	34,918
Job satisfaction	4.6	4.67
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	45	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a heavy equipment operator do?

Heavy equipment operators are skilled workers who are trained to handle heavy equipment. They are usually in the construction industry. Some of the equipment they operate are forklifts, bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes, excavation machines, and mixer trucks. Heavy equipment operators are knowledgeable about the ins and outs of their equipment and are expected to be able to do basic repair and maintenance. They should also be able to recommend more complex repairs and maintenance work needed. Heavy equipment operators must adhere to health and safety protocols at all times.

What does a crane operator do?

A crane operator's work involves the control of draglines or cranes to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment, and other large objects at industrial or construction sites, ports, surface mines, railway yards, and other similar locations. Their tasks and duties include conducting crane maintenance such as lubricating and cleaning, inspecting cranes, and assembling tower cranes. Some of them work with all three cranes, namely the boom trucks, mobile cranes, and tower cranes, while others prefer to specialize.

Heavy equipment operator vs crane operator salary

Heavy equipment operators and crane operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Crane Operator
Average salary	$39,822	$54,275
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $57,000	Between $35,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Washington
Best paying company	Moody's	Katerra
Best paying industry	Energy	Energy

Differences between heavy equipment operator and crane operator education

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Crane Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy equipment operator vs crane operator demographics

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Crane Operator
Average age	45	47
Gender ratio	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 0.7% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy equipment operator and crane operator duties and responsibilities

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.

Crane operator example responsibilities.

Perform preventive maintenance on cranes in accordance with manufacturer and OSHA requirements.
Train, test and certify to run all small and large hydraulic cranes through NCCCO.
Operate LBT and TLL cranes, loading and unloading concrete bridge girders in a precast yard in a production setting.
Rig cranes to handle constriction materials using appropriate nylon and wire rope slings, shackles and other material handling equipment.
Arch, MIG, and TIG welding.
Maintain and use appropriate PPE.

Heavy equipment operator vs crane operator skills

Common heavy equipment operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Backhoe, 6%
CDL, 6%
Asphalt, 5%
Safety Regulations, 5%
Dump Truck, 5%

Common crane operator skills

Cranes, 25%
NCCCO, 7%
CDL, 7%
OSHA, 4%
Hoisting, 4%
Safety Rules, 3%

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Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy Equipment Operator vs Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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