Heavy machinery operator vs motor grader operator

The differences between heavy machinery operators and motor grader 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 motor grader operator. Additionally, a motor grader operator has an average salary of $47,143, 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 motor grader operator are asphalt, GPS, and CDL.

Heavy machinery operator vs motor grader operator overview

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Motor Grader Operator
Yearly salary	$31,351	$47,143
Hourly rate	$15.07	$22.66
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	37,580	31,791
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machinery operator vs motor grader operator salary

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Motor Grader Operator
Average salary	$31,351	$47,143
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $37,000 And $59,000
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 motor grader operator education

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Motor Grader Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machinery operator vs motor grader operator demographics

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Motor Grader Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%	Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6%
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, 18.5% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy machinery operator and motor grader 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.

Motor grader operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Stock pile millings, asphalt, landfill as trailers dump loads in yards.
Partner with vendors to supply concrete, ABC (aggregate base course) and asphalt.
Reviewed/Approve area assessment reports and corrective action plans assuring compliance with applicable OSHA and EPA regulatory guidance.
Complete intensive on-the-job training in HAZMAT and acquire certification for appropriate handling of hazardous materials.

Heavy machinery operator vs motor grader operator skills

Common heavy machinery operator skills

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

Common motor grader operator skills

Asphalt, 18%
GPS, 16%
CDL, 11%
Equipment Maintenance, 10%
Loaders, 8%
Dozer, 6%

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Heavy Machinery Operator vs Motor Grader Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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