Heavy equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator

The differences between heavy equipment operators and heavy machinery 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 heavy machinery operator. Additionally, a heavy equipment operator has an average salary of $39,822, which is higher than the $31,351 average annual salary of a heavy machinery operator.

The top three skills for a heavy equipment operator include loaders, backhoe and CDL. The most important skills for a heavy machinery operator are dump truck, backhoe, and load trucks.

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator overview

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Yearly salary	$39,822	$31,351
Hourly rate	$19.15	$15.07
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	47,261	37,580
Job satisfaction	4.6	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator salary

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Average salary	$39,822	$31,351
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $57,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	Reedley, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Alaska
Best paying company	Moody's	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	Energy	Automotive

Differences between heavy equipment operator and heavy machinery operator education

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator demographics

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Heavy Machinery Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%
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, 7.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy equipment operator and heavy machinery 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.

Heavy machinery operator example responsibilities.

Used heavy machinery such as a bobcat, backhoe and forklift to move asphalt or material.
Operate CNC lathe along with several other pieces of machinery equipment.
Operate backhoe to excavate excess water/mud to build barriers to prevent a spill over onto roads and residential area.
Start engines, move throttle switch and levers, such as bulldozers, road graders and backhoes and relate machines.
Operate light machinery including bulldozers and maintainers
Reviewed/Approve area assessment reports and corrective action plans assuring compliance with applicable OSHA and EPA regulatory guidance.

Heavy equipment operator vs heavy machinery operator skills

Common heavy equipment operator skills

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

Common heavy machinery operator skills

Dump Truck, 15%
Backhoe, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Front End Loader, 7%
CDL, 6%
Bobcat, 6%

Heavy Equipment Operator vs. similar jobs

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Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy Equipment Operator vs Heavy Machinery Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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