Heavy machine operator vs equipment operator-driver

The differences between heavy machine operators and equipment operators-driver 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 machine operator and an equipment operator-driver. Additionally, a heavy machine operator has an average salary of $38,232, which is higher than the $36,429 average annual salary of an equipment operator-driver.

The top three skills for a heavy machine operator include cranes, preventative maintenance and CNC. The most important skills for an equipment operator-driver are CDL, dump truck, and loaders.

Heavy machine operator vs equipment operator-driver overview

	Heavy Machine Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Yearly salary	$38,232	$36,429
Hourly rate	$18.38	$17.51
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	73,011	607,301
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machine operator vs equipment operator-driver salary

Heavy machine operators and equipment operators-driver have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Machine Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average salary	$38,232	$36,429
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $49,000	Between $28,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between heavy machine operator and equipment operator-driver education

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

	Heavy Machine Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machine operator vs equipment operator-driver demographics

Here are the differences between heavy machine operators' and equipment operators-driver' demographics:

	Heavy Machine Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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 machine operator and equipment operator-driver duties and responsibilities

Heavy machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Dig trenches and level earth to grade specification, using pick, shovel and backhoe.
Operate heavy machinery, manual labor and assisting crew where need; CDL driving for certain jobs
Operate excavation and loading machines equip with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig gravel and earth.
Make excavations and load different material using a loader.
Load & unload trucks with forklift or bobcat for outbound delivery.

Equipment operator-driver example responsibilities.

Deliver hazmat material to job site.
Operate airfield/street sweepers to remove debris from pavement surfaces.
Unload full pallets and double pallets of groceries and merchandise.
Landscape, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and bushes.
Arrive at and depart from pickup and discharge points as required.
Conduct pre and post trip inspections and regularly service the vehicles.

Heavy machine operator vs equipment operator-driver skills

Common heavy machine operator skills

Cranes, 13%
Preventative Maintenance, 13%
CNC, 12%
Grinders, 12%
Troubleshoot, 11%
Load Trucks, 6%

Common equipment operator-driver skills

CDL, 23%
Dump Truck, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Tractor Trailer, 5%
DOT, 5%
Post-Trip Inspections, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Heavy Machine Operator
Heavy Machine Operator vs Equipment Operator-Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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