Post job

Highway maintenance technician vs caltrans equipment operator

The differences between highway maintenance technicians and caltrans equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a highway maintenance technician and a caltrans equipment operator. Additionally, a caltrans equipment operator has an average salary of $44,003, which is higher than the $36,871 average annual salary of a highway maintenance technician.

The top three skills for a highway maintenance technician include CDL, highway maintenance and asphalt. The most important skills for a caltrans equipment operator are loaders, , and .

Highway maintenance technician vs caltrans equipment operator overview

Highway Maintenance TechnicianCaltrans Equipment Operator
Yearly salary$36,871$44,003
Hourly rate$17.73$21.16
Growth rate-5%
Number of jobs83,42439,993
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 100%
Average age4747
Years of experience1212

Highway maintenance technician vs caltrans equipment operator salary

Highway maintenance technicians and caltrans equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Highway Maintenance TechnicianCaltrans Equipment Operator
Average salary$36,871$44,003
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $53,000Between $34,000 And $56,000
Highest paying CityDenver, CO-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyInternational Paper-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between highway maintenance technician and caltrans equipment operator education

There are a few differences between a highway maintenance technician and a caltrans equipment operator in terms of educational background:

Highway Maintenance TechnicianCaltrans Equipment Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 100%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common college--

Highway maintenance technician vs caltrans equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between highway maintenance technicians' and caltrans equipment operators' demographics:

Highway Maintenance TechnicianCaltrans Equipment Operator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 97.5% Female, 2.5%Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 0.5% White, 73.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% Asian, 0.4% White, 81.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between highway maintenance technician and caltrans equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Highway maintenance technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage proper storage of equipment, compliance with ANSI, NEC standard and assure OSHA safety regulations.
  • Mow or clear brush from a long road or plow snow from roadway
  • Repair cross/storm drains, cracks, pothole, and perform cold asphalt patch repair and pressure washing as needed.
  • Dump, spread, and tamp asphalt, using one pneumatic tampers, to repair joints and patch broken pavement.
  • Perform routine and emergency maintenance calls, paint, repair drywall safely repair minor electrical problems including HVAC.
  • Operate trucks equip with snowplows and sander attachments to maintain roads in winter weather.

Caltrans equipment operator example responsibilities.

  • Operate cranes in various indoor and outdoor locations where maneuverability is restricted and accuracy is critical.
  • Operate cranes in various indoor and outdoor locations where maneuverability is restricted and accuracy is critical.

Highway maintenance technician vs caltrans equipment operator skills

Common highway maintenance technician skills
  • CDL, 27%
  • Highway Maintenance, 19%
  • Asphalt, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Equipment Maintenance, 6%
  • CPR, 6%
Common caltrans equipment operator skills
  • Loaders, 100%

Browse construction and extraction jobs