Hoist operator vs equipment operator

The differences between hoist operators and 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 hoist operator, becoming an equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a hoist operator has an average salary of $33,428, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.

The top three skills for a hoist operator include pallets, unload materials and safety checks. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.

Hoist operator vs equipment operator overview

	Hoist Operator	Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$33,428	$31,739
Hourly rate	$16.07	$15.26
Growth rate	7%	5%
Number of jobs	49,107	62,473
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	41	45
Years of experience	2	4

Hoist operator vs equipment operator salary

Hoist operators and equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Hoist Operator	Equipment Operator
Average salary	$33,428	$31,739
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $39,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Indianapolis, IN
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Nelsen Partners
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between hoist operator and equipment operator education

There are a few differences between a hoist operator and an equipment operator in terms of educational background:

	Hoist Operator	Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hoist operator vs equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between hoist operators' and equipment operators' demographics:

	Hoist Operator	Equipment Operator
Average age	41	45
Gender ratio	Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%	Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.8% White, 73.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between hoist operator and equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Hoist operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate track loader, dozer, excavator, track skid loader, rubber tire loader, and haul truck as assigned.
Operate heavy equipment including loaders and rollers.
Operate bulldozers, compactors, and scrapers for residential land development
Work include backhoe operation, equipment operation, landscaping and snow removal
Operate backhoes and trench diggers.

Hoist operator vs equipment operator skills

Common hoist operator skills

Pallets, 28%
Unload Materials, 21%
Safety Checks, 21%
Inventory Control, 9%
Clamp Truck, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%

Common equipment operator skills

CDL, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Asphalt, 5%
Backhoe, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
Safety Rules, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Hoist Operator
Hoist Operator vs Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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