Heavy machine operator vs heavy equipment operator

The differences between heavy machine operators and heavy equipment 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 a heavy equipment operator. Additionally, a heavy equipment operator has an average salary of $39,822, 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 a heavy equipment operator are loaders, backhoe, and CDL.

Heavy machine operator vs heavy equipment operator overview

	Heavy Machine Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$38,232	$39,822
Hourly rate	$18.38	$19.15
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	73,011	47,261
Job satisfaction	-	4.6
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machine operator vs heavy equipment operator salary

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

	Heavy Machine Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average salary	$38,232	$39,822
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $49,000	Between $27,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	-	Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Moody's
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between heavy machine operator and heavy equipment operator education

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

	Heavy Machine Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machine operator vs heavy equipment operator demographics

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

	Heavy Machine Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy machine operator and heavy equipment 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.

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 machine operator vs heavy equipment operator skills

Common heavy machine operator skills

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

Common heavy equipment operator skills

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

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Heavy Machine Operator
Heavy Machine Operator vs Heavy Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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