Heavy machinery operator vs road machine runner

The differences between heavy machinery operators and road machine runners 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 road machine runner. Additionally, a road machine runner has an average salary of $82,786, 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 road machine runner are windows, troubleshoot, and internet connectivity.

Heavy machinery operator vs road machine runner overview

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Road Machine Runner
Yearly salary	$31,351	$82,786
Hourly rate	$15.07	$39.80
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	37,580	59,470
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machinery operator vs road machine runner salary

Heavy machinery operators and road machine runners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Road Machine Runner
Average salary	$31,351	$82,786
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $40,000	Between $48,000 And $140,000
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 road machine runner education

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

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Road Machine Runner
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machinery operator vs road machine runner demographics

Here are the differences between heavy machinery operators' and road machine runners' demographics:

	Heavy Machinery Operator	Road Machine Runner
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%	Male, 69.8% Female, 30.2%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between heavy machinery operator and road machine runner 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.

Road machine runner example responsibilities.

Manage the development of a customize ERP system for the client.
Display creationist creating display cases for walmart / target / Sam's club.
Design specific SQL scripts to correct data problems at sites prior to upgrade.
Design the technical aspects of a new VOIP product offering for small businesses.
Install pre-assembled metal or wood frameworks for windows or doors to be fit with glass panels, using hand tools.
Install windows operating systems on computers.

Heavy machinery operator vs road machine runner skills

Common heavy machinery operator skills

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

Common road machine runner skills

Windows, 27%
Troubleshoot, 22%
Internet Connectivity, 13%
PC, 8%
OS, 8%
SQL, 8%

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Heavy Machinery Operator vs Road Machine Runner

Updated January 8, 2025

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