Heavy machinery operator vs engineering equipment operator

The differences between heavy machinery operators and engineering 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 machinery operator and an engineering equipment operator. Additionally, an engineering equipment operator has an average salary of $43,840, 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 an engineering equipment operator are end loaders, CDL, and DOT.

Heavy machinery operator vs engineering equipment operator overview

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$31,351	$43,840
Hourly rate	$15.07	$21.08
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	37,580	98,148
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machinery operator vs engineering equipment operator salary

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Average salary	$31,351	$43,840
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $31,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Reedley, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Dairy Farmers of America	ConocoPhillips
Best paying industry	Automotive	Energy

Differences between heavy machinery operator and engineering equipment operator education

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machinery operator vs engineering equipment operator demographics

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Engineering Equipment Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
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, 18.3% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy machinery operator and engineering equipment 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.

Engineering equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Dig trenches with shovels, mc clouds, Pulaski.
Use bulldozers, cranes, grader and other heavy equipment for construction projects of army.
Operate backhoes and trench diggers, operate loaders, sand spreaders, and snow plows when necessary to clear roads.
Construct and maintain sidewalks, curbs, parking lots and roadways make of asphalt, concrete and granite.
Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on asphalt plants.

Heavy machinery operator vs engineering equipment operator skills

Common heavy machinery operator skills

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

Common engineering equipment operator skills

End Loaders, 26%
CDL, 17%
DOT, 10%
Loaders, 9%
Dump Truck, 9%
Construction Sites, 5%

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Heavy Machinery Operator vs Engineering Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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