Heavy equipment operator vs heavy equipment mechanic

The differences between heavy equipment operators and heavy equipment mechanics 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 heavy equipment mechanic. Additionally, a heavy equipment mechanic has an average salary of $49,018, 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 heavy equipment mechanic are CDL, hand tools, and loaders.

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy equipment mechanic overview

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Yearly salary	$39,822	$49,018
Hourly rate	$19.15	$23.57
Growth rate	5%	8%
Number of jobs	47,261	98,464
Job satisfaction	4.6	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	45	44
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 heavy equipment mechanic do?

A heavy equipment mechanic is responsible for operating the heavy machinery used in the production of various industries, inspecting inconsistencies, running diagnostic tests, and replacing defective components to ensure its operational safety and efficiency. Heavy equipment mechanics also upgrade engine systems to boost optimal performance, analyze damage costs, and repair equipment parts with the assistance of other mechanical staff. They work closely with the management, create maintenance reports, and suggesting resolutions to avoid delays in production and customer service.

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy equipment mechanic salary

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Average salary	$39,822	$49,018
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $57,000	Between $36,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	Oakland, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Vermont
Best paying company	Moody's	BNSF Railway
Best paying industry	Energy	Transportation

Differences between heavy equipment operator and heavy equipment mechanic education

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Business	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy equipment mechanic demographics

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Average age	45	44
Gender ratio	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%	Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%
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, 5.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	2%	1%

Differences between heavy equipment operator and heavy equipment mechanic 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.

Heavy equipment mechanic example responsibilities.

Maintain and manage shop for parts, supplies and priority in jobs and cleanliness.
Operate grinders, vises, jacks, cranes, drill presses, pallet lifts, wheel lifts, and solvent tank.
Perform corrosion control and painting procedures on equipment using grinders, sanders, respirators and paint guns.
Fix and maintain all types of heavy equipment such as backhoe, excavator, bull dozer and grader.
Analyze and diagnose problems, troubleshoot electrical systems and their mechanical components.
Perform queries into competitor technology to maintain ability to perform accurate diagnosis on equipment not produce by caterpillar.

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy equipment mechanic skills

Common heavy equipment operator skills

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

Common heavy equipment mechanic skills

CDL, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%
Loaders, 6%
Cranes, 6%
Electrical Systems, 4%
End Loaders, 4%

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Heavy Equipment Operator vs Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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