Laydown machine operator vs heavy machine operator

The differences between laydown machine operators and heavy machine 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 heavy machine operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a heavy machine operator has an average salary of $38,232, 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 heavy machine operator are cranes, preventative maintenance, and CNC.

Laydown machine operator vs heavy machine operator overview

	Laydown Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$33,663	$38,232
Hourly rate	$16.18	$18.38
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	53,653	73,011
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	45	43
Years of experience	2	4

Laydown machine operator vs heavy machine operator salary

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

	Laydown Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average salary	$33,663	$38,232
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $43,000	Between $29,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between laydown machine operator and heavy machine operator education

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

	Laydown Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Laydown machine operator vs heavy machine operator demographics

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

	Laydown Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average age	45	43
Gender ratio	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%
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 heavy machine 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.

Heavy machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Dig trenches and level earth to grade specification, using pick, shovel and backhoe.
Operate heavy machinery, manual labor and assisting crew where need; CDL driving for certain jobs
Operate excavation and loading machines equip with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig gravel and earth.
Make excavations and load different material using a loader.
Load & unload trucks with forklift or bobcat for outbound delivery.

Laydown machine operator vs heavy machine operator skills

Common laydown machine operator skills

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

Common heavy machine operator skills

Cranes, 13%
Preventative Maintenance, 13%
CNC, 12%
Grinders, 12%
Troubleshoot, 11%
Load Trucks, 6%

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Laydown Machine Operator vs Heavy Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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