Heavy equipment operator vs scraper operator

The differences between heavy equipment operators and scraper 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 scraper operator. Additionally, a scraper operator has an average salary of $45,504, 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 scraper operator are hand tools, push-pull, and construction equipment.

Heavy equipment operator vs scraper operator overview

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Scraper Operator
Yearly salary	$39,822	$45,504
Hourly rate	$19.15	$21.88
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	47,261	34,822
Job satisfaction	4.6	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 65%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy equipment operator vs scraper operator salary

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Scraper Operator
Average salary	$39,822	$45,504
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $57,000	Between $34,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	-
Highest paying state	New Jersey	-
Best paying company	Moody's	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between heavy equipment operator and scraper operator education

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Scraper Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 65%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy equipment operator vs scraper operator demographics

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

	Heavy Equipment Operator	Scraper Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy equipment operator and scraper 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.

Scraper operator example responsibilities.

Drive piles within company standard allowance using (Carlson) GPS system.
Operate heavy equipment, including skid steers, bulldozers, scrapers, backhoes, rollers, and dump trucks.
Reviewed/Approve area assessment reports and corrective action plans assuring compliance with applicable OSHA and EPA regulatory guidance.
Operate road watering, oiling, and rolling equipment, or street sealing equipment, such as chip spreaders.

Heavy equipment operator vs scraper operator skills

Common heavy equipment operator skills

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

Common scraper operator skills

Hand Tools, 17%
Push-Pull, 15%
Construction Equipment, 12%
GPS, 12%
Safety Regulations, 11%
Grade Stakes, 10%

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Construction and Extraction Industry
Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy Equipment Operator vs Scraper Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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