Laydown machine operator vs dragline operator

The differences between laydown machine operators and dragline 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 dragline operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a dragline operator has an average salary of $38,382, 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 dragline operator are MSHA, loaders, and .

Laydown machine operator vs dragline operator overview

	Laydown Machine Operator	Dragline Operator
Yearly salary	$33,663	$38,382
Hourly rate	$16.18	$18.45
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	53,653	30,148
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 60%
Average age	45	43
Years of experience	2	4

Laydown machine operator vs dragline operator salary

Laydown machine operators and dragline operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laydown Machine Operator	Dragline Operator
Average salary	$33,663	$38,382
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $43,000	Between $26,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between laydown machine operator and dragline operator education

There are a few differences between a laydown machine operator and a dragline operator in terms of educational background:

	Laydown Machine Operator	Dragline Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 60%
Most common major	Business	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies
Most common college	-	-

Laydown machine operator vs dragline operator demographics

Here are the differences between laydown machine operators' and dragline operators' demographics:

	Laydown Machine Operator	Dragline Operator
Average age	45	43
Gender ratio	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%	Male, 98.4% Female, 1.6%
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%

Differences between laydown machine operator and dragline operator duties and responsibilities

Laydown machine operator example responsibilities.

Operate jetco, ditchwitch, and vermer trenchers digging ditch and back filling ditch.
Work the rig floor operating break out tongs, v door, pulling slips and also roll pipe.
Demonstrate proficiency in operation of backhoe, trenchers, boom and dump truck.
Go to drilling rig, laid down drilling pipe and collars and pick up casing.
Rig the machine up and run casing to and from various types of oil rigs.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.

Dragline operator example responsibilities.

wheel loaders, dozers and dragling, also complete tasks in welding and working on kenworth dump trucks.
Have ran draglines, trackhoes, backhoes, dozers, versahandlers, crains, and directional bore drilling equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Load and unload merchandise from trucksDaily equipment checksDispose of waste following DHEC regulations

Laydown machine operator vs dragline operator skills

Common laydown machine operator skills

Rig, 58%
RAN, 16%
Drill Pipe, 11%
DOT Regulations, 7%
JSA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

Common dragline operator skills

MSHA, 55%
Loaders, 45%

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Laydown Machine Operator
Laydown Machine Operator vs Dragline Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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