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The differences between heavy machinery operators and 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 operator. Additionally, an operator has an average salary of $37,928, 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 operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.
| Heavy Machinery Operator | Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $31,351 | $37,928 |
| Hourly rate | $15.07 | $18.23 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 37,580 | 159,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Heavy machinery operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Heavy Machinery Operator | Operator | |
| Average salary | $31,351 | $37,928 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $40,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reedley, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Dairy Farmers of America | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a heavy machinery operator and an operator in terms of educational background:
| Heavy Machinery Operator | Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 45% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between heavy machinery operators' and operators' demographics:
| Heavy Machinery Operator | Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6% | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% |
| 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, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |