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The differences between heavy equipment operators and 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 equipment operator. Additionally, a heavy equipment operator has an average salary of $39,822, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.
The top three skills for a heavy equipment operator include loaders, backhoe and CDL. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Equipment Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,822 | $31,739 |
| Hourly rate | $19.15 | $15.26 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 47,261 | 62,473 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.6 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Equipment operators are employees who are assigned to work on specific company equipment. They are skilled workers trained to handle all aspects of the particular equipment, from basic operating to repairing. They use the equipment and ensure that safety standards are being followed. Aside from managing the equipment, they are also in charge of repairs and maintenance. They are responsible for ensuring that the machine works properly, troubleshooting if there are challenges encountered, and repairing any problems. Equipment operators are reliable, trustworthy, and attentive.
Heavy equipment operators and equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Equipment Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,822 | $31,739 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $57,000 | Between $24,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Trenton, NJ | Indianapolis, IN |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Moody's | Nelsen Partners |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a heavy equipment operator and an equipment operator in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Equipment Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy equipment operators' and equipment operators' demographics:
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Equipment Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% | Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0% |
| 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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |