Heavy truck driver vs heavy equipment operator

The differences between heavy truck drivers and heavy equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a heavy truck driver, becoming a heavy equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a heavy truck driver has an average salary of $54,369, which is higher than the $39,822 average annual salary of a heavy equipment operator.

The top three skills for a heavy truck driver include CDL, safety rules and hazmat. The most important skills for a heavy equipment operator are loaders, backhoe, and CDL.

Heavy truck driver vs heavy equipment operator overview

	Heavy Truck Driver	Heavy Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$54,369	$39,822
Hourly rate	$26.14	$19.15
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	877,479	47,261
Job satisfaction	-	4.6
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	48	45
Years of experience	2	4

What does a heavy truck driver do?

A heavy truck driver delivers goods and other heavy loads for clients. They transport these goods within a designated route from the manufacturing warehouse to designated store locations. In addition to driving, they determine if their truck complies with the weight or height restrictions on certain bridges and tunnels and modifies routes as necessary.

What does a heavy equipment operator do?

Heavy equipment operators are skilled workers who are trained to handle heavy equipment. They are usually in the construction industry. Some of the equipment they operate are forklifts, bulldozers, dump trucks, backhoes, excavation machines, and mixer trucks. Heavy equipment operators are knowledgeable about the ins and outs of their equipment and are expected to be able to do basic repair and maintenance. They should also be able to recommend more complex repairs and maintenance work needed. Heavy equipment operators must adhere to health and safety protocols at all times.

Heavy truck driver vs heavy equipment operator salary

Heavy truck drivers and heavy equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Truck Driver	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average salary	$54,369	$39,822
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $75,000	Between $27,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	Bakersfield, CA	Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state	California	New Jersey
Best paying company	B & B Co.	Moody's
Best paying industry	Transportation	Energy

Differences between heavy truck driver and heavy equipment operator education

There are a few differences between a heavy truck driver and a heavy equipment operator in terms of educational background:

	Heavy Truck Driver	Heavy Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy truck driver vs heavy equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between heavy truck drivers' and heavy equipment operators' demographics:

	Heavy Truck Driver	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average age	48	45
Gender ratio	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 3.9% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between heavy truck driver and heavy equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Heavy truck driver example responsibilities.

Haul equipment (skid steers, backhoe, and mini-excavators) to and from job sites.
Succeed in assuring all government compliance measures for transporting Hazmat cargo and high-end sensitive items for clients are met.
Work with the backhoe driver and position the dump truck as for scrap concrete and dirt be load on the vehicle.
company to contractor local and otr feul deliverys
Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
Deliver FedEx packages to establish residential and businesses accounts on an assign route in a timely and professional manner.

Heavy equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate trucks and equipment such as backhoe, dump trucks, front-end loader, hydraulic excavator, skid steers and bulldozers.
Operate heavy equipment including, but limit to, backhoe, excavators, bobcats, forklifts, trucks and wheel loaders.
Operate equipment used for construction purposes such as tankers, cranes, bulldozers, loaders, compost mixers and excavators.
Put down mulch cut grass, plant and dig up.
Work with asphalt, cut down trees, and dig trenches.

Heavy truck driver vs heavy equipment operator skills

Common heavy truck driver skills

CDL, 32%
Safety Rules, 13%
Hazmat, 6%
Dump Truck, 4%
Transport Materials, 4%
Hazardous Materials, 3%

Common heavy equipment operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Backhoe, 6%
CDL, 6%
Asphalt, 5%
Safety Regulations, 5%
Dump Truck, 5%

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Heavy Truck Driver vs Heavy Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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