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The differences between laydown machine operators and back digger 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 laydown machine operator, becoming a back digger operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a back digger operator has an average salary of $37,718, which is higher than the $33,663 average annual salary of a laydown machine operator.
The top three skills for a laydown machine operator include rig, RAN and drill pipe. The most important skills for a back digger operator are hand tools, PPE, and safety procedures.
| Laydown Machine Operator | Back Digger Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,663 | $37,718 |
| Hourly rate | $16.18 | $18.13 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 53,653 | 31,523 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Laydown machine operators and back digger operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laydown Machine Operator | Back Digger Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,663 | $37,718 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $26,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a laydown machine operator and a back digger operator in terms of educational background:
| Laydown Machine Operator | Back Digger Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between laydown machine operators' and back digger operators' demographics:
| Laydown Machine Operator | Back Digger Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |