Heavy machine operator vs excavator operator

The differences between heavy machine operators and excavator 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 machine operator and an excavator operator. Additionally, an excavator operator has an average salary of $46,102, which is higher than the $38,232 average annual salary of a heavy machine operator.

The top three skills for a heavy machine operator include cranes, preventative maintenance and CNC. The most important skills for an excavator operator are CDL, OSHA, and backhoe.

Heavy machine operator vs excavator operator overview

	Heavy Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Yearly salary	$38,232	$46,102
Hourly rate	$18.38	$22.16
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	73,011	36,584
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machine operator vs excavator operator salary

Heavy machine operators and excavator operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Average salary	$38,232	$46,102
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $49,000	Between $33,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Roto
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between heavy machine operator and excavator operator education

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

	Heavy Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Business	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machine operator vs excavator operator demographics

Here are the differences between heavy machine operators' and excavator operators' demographics:

	Heavy Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy machine operator and excavator operator 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.

Excavator operator example responsibilities.

Experience in operating heavy equipment including excavators, front end loaders, skid loaders, tractors, etc.
Obtain CDL with Hazmat and tanker endorsements.
Create safe slopes and proper barricading during excavations.
Locate under grind utilitys via blue print GPS mapdata.
Position is a laborer working on the mowing crew.
Dig safe bell holes that meet osha standards and company policy standards

Heavy machine operator vs excavator operator skills

Common heavy machine operator skills

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

Common excavator operator skills

CDL, 12%
OSHA, 10%
Backhoe, 9%
Manual Labor, 8%
Asphalt, 6%
Plumbing, 6%

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Heavy Machine Operator
Heavy Machine Operator vs Excavator Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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