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The differences between lighting equipment operators and engineering equipment 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 an engineering equipment operator. Additionally, an engineering equipment operator has an average salary of $43,840, 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 an engineering equipment operator are end loaders, CDL, and DOT.
| Lighting Equipment Operator | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $38,105 | $43,840 |
| Hourly rate | $18.32 | $21.08 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 44,772 | 98,148 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A great performance needs a lighting equipment operator that will highlight the skill and features of a performer. This person is responsible for ensuring that the lighting equipment is working properly and will not have any problems. The operator manages all the needed visual equipment like the background lighting, LEDs, and video playbacks. They also control lighting materials such as the spotlights, disco lights, and lamps. This position may play a role at concerts, comedy bars, plays, theaters, musical shows, and awards night.
An engineering equipment operator runs heavy construction machinery. Engineering equipment operators drive and control any construction equipment. Among the equipment they operate are forklifts, cargo trucks, hydraulic truck cranes, dump trucks, backhoes, and bulldozers. They use any of the equipment to provide assistance in structure construction like roads, buildings, and bridges. The operators should be well-trained in doing these duties. They should develop analytical skills, teamwork, physical strength and stamina, attention to detail, and knowledge of the production procedures.
Lighting equipment operators and engineering equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lighting Equipment Operator | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Average salary | $38,105 | $43,840 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $51,000 | Between $31,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mayor Ethan Berkowitz | ConocoPhillips |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Energy |
There are a few differences between a lighting equipment operator and an engineering equipment operator in terms of educational background:
| Lighting Equipment Operator | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lighting equipment operators' and engineering equipment operators' demographics:
| Lighting Equipment Operator | Engineering Equipment Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| 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, 18.3% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |