Heavy equipment operator vs engineering equipment operator

The differences between heavy equipment operators and engineering equipment 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 an engineering equipment operator. Additionally, an engineering equipment operator has an average salary of $43,840, 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 an engineering equipment operator are end loaders, CDL, and DOT.

Heavy equipment operator vs engineering equipment operator overview

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$39,822	$43,840
Hourly rate	$19.15	$21.08
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	47,261	98,148
Job satisfaction	4.6	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	45	45
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 an engineering equipment operator do?

An engineering equipment operator runs heavy construction machinery. Engineering equipment operators drive and control any construction equipment. Among the equipment they operate are forklifts, cargo trucks, hydraulic truck cranes, dump trucks, backhoes, and bulldozers. They use any of the equipment to provide assistance in structure construction like roads, buildings, and bridges. The operators should be well-trained in doing these duties. They should develop analytical skills, teamwork, physical strength and stamina, attention to detail, and knowledge of the production procedures.

Heavy equipment operator vs engineering equipment operator salary

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Average salary	$39,822	$43,840
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $57,000	Between $31,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Alaska
Best paying company	Moody's	ConocoPhillips
Best paying industry	Energy	Energy

Differences between heavy equipment operator and engineering equipment operator education

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy equipment operator vs engineering equipment operator demographics

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy equipment operator and engineering equipment 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.

Engineering equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Dig trenches with shovels, mc clouds, Pulaski.
Use bulldozers, cranes, grader and other heavy equipment for construction projects of army.
Operate backhoes and trench diggers, operate loaders, sand spreaders, and snow plows when necessary to clear roads.
Construct and maintain sidewalks, curbs, parking lots and roadways make of asphalt, concrete and granite.
Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on asphalt plants.

Heavy equipment operator vs engineering equipment operator skills

Common heavy equipment operator skills

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

Common engineering equipment operator skills

End Loaders, 26%
CDL, 17%
DOT, 10%
Loaders, 9%
Dump Truck, 9%
Construction Sites, 5%

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Heavy Equipment Operator vs Engineering Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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