Lighting equipment operator vs blade operator

The differences between lighting equipment operators and blade operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a lighting equipment operator and a blade operator. Additionally, a blade operator has an average salary of $46,245, which is higher than the $38,105 average annual salary of a lighting equipment operator.

The top three skills for a lighting equipment operator include production runs, routine maintenance and safety rules. The most important skills for a blade operator are asphalt, GPS, and trimble gps.

Lighting equipment operator vs blade operator overview

	Lighting Equipment Operator	Blade Operator
Yearly salary	$38,105	$46,245
Hourly rate	$18.32	$22.23
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	44,772	35,227
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 64%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Lighting equipment operator vs blade operator salary

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

	Lighting Equipment Operator	Blade Operator
Average salary	$38,105	$46,245
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $51,000	Between $35,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Anchorage, AK	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between lighting equipment operator and blade operator education

There are a few differences between a lighting equipment operator and a blade operator in terms of educational background:

	Lighting Equipment Operator	Blade Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 64%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Lighting equipment operator vs blade operator demographics

Here are the differences between lighting equipment operators' and blade operators' demographics:

	Lighting Equipment Operator	Blade Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3%	Male, 93.2% Female, 6.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%	Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between lighting equipment operator and blade operator duties and responsibilities

Lighting equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate and maintain forklift, bobcat, backhoe, and loader.
Light equipment operator (i.e., forklift, backhoe, augers, excavator, bobcat, etc .).
Operate machines to spread, smooth, level, or steel- reinforce stone, concrete, or asphalt on road beds.
Work on various construction projects including, patching utility cuts, potholes, and dirt work in preparation of asphalt repairs.
Identify electrical, plumbing and safety problems applicable to the installation and take necessary corrective action.

Blade operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Execute daily operations of finish grading and various equipment operation.

Lighting equipment operator vs blade operator skills

Common lighting equipment operator skills

Production Runs, 15%
Routine Maintenance, 11%
Safety Rules, 6%
Loaders, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
CDL, 5%

Common blade operator skills

Asphalt, 50%
GPS, 18%
Trimble Gps, 5%
Construction Equipment, 4%
Highway Construction, 4%
Grade Stakes, 3%

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Lighting Equipment Operator
Lighting Equipment Operator vs Blade Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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