Heavy machinery operator vs blade operator

The differences between heavy machinery operators and blade 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 machinery operator and a blade operator. Additionally, a blade operator has an average salary of $46,245, which is higher than the $31,351 average annual salary of a heavy machinery operator.

The top three skills for a heavy machinery operator include dump truck, backhoe and load trucks. The most important skills for a blade operator are asphalt, GPS, and trimble gps.

Heavy machinery operator vs blade operator overview

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Blade Operator
Yearly salary	$31,351	$46,245
Hourly rate	$15.07	$22.23
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	37,580	35,227
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 64%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machinery operator vs blade operator salary

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Blade Operator
Average salary	$31,351	$46,245
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $35,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Reedley, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Dairy Farmers of America	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between heavy machinery operator and blade operator education

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Blade Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 64%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machinery operator vs blade operator demographics

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Blade Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%	Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy machinery operator and blade operator duties and responsibilities

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.

Blade operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Execute daily operations of finish grading and various equipment operation.

Heavy machinery operator vs blade operator skills

Common heavy machinery operator skills

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

Common blade operator skills

Asphalt, 50%
GPS, 18%
Trimble Gps, 5%
Construction Equipment, 4%
Highway Construction, 4%
Grade Stakes, 3%

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Heavy Machinery Operator
Heavy Machinery Operator vs Blade Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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