Loader operator vs equipment operator-driver

The differences between loader operators and equipment operators-driver can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a loader operator and an equipment operator-driver. Additionally, a loader operator has an average salary of $36,987, which is higher than the $36,429 average annual salary of an equipment operator-driver.

The top three skills for a loader operator include front end loader, asphalt and customer service. The most important skills for an equipment operator-driver are CDL, dump truck, and loaders.

Loader operator vs equipment operator-driver overview

	Loader Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Yearly salary	$36,987	$36,429
Hourly rate	$17.78	$17.51
Growth rate	7%	5%
Number of jobs	61,980	607,301
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	4	4

Loader operator vs equipment operator-driver salary

Loader operators and equipment operators-driver have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Loader Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average salary	$36,987	$36,429
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $46,000	Between $28,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Bismarck, ND	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Dairy Farmers of America	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between loader operator and equipment operator-driver education

There are a few differences between a loader operator and an equipment operator-driver in terms of educational background:

	Loader Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Loader operator vs equipment operator-driver demographics

Here are the differences between loader operators' and equipment operators-driver' demographics:

	Loader Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between loader operator and equipment operator-driver duties and responsibilities

Loader operator example responsibilities.

Inventory control; FIFO procedures, HAZMAT certify.
Excavate midstream on load lines for repair backfill and finish
Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
Excavate and prepare trenches for plumbing and utilities to residential homes.
Operate excavator doing residential demolition and dig footings for new structures.
Utilize appropriate level of PPE for the chemical being handle or transfer.

Equipment operator-driver example responsibilities.

Deliver hazmat material to job site.
Operate airfield/street sweepers to remove debris from pavement surfaces.
Unload full pallets and double pallets of groceries and merchandise.
Landscape, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and bushes.
Arrive at and depart from pickup and discharge points as required.
Conduct pre and post trip inspections and regularly service the vehicles.

Loader operator vs equipment operator-driver skills

Common loader operator skills

Front End Loader, 11%
Asphalt, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Loaders, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

Common equipment operator-driver skills

CDL, 23%
Dump Truck, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Tractor Trailer, 5%
DOT, 5%
Post-Trip Inspections, 4%

Loader Operator vs. similar jobs

Loader Operator related careers

Loader Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

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Transportation Industry
Loader Operator
Loader Operator vs Equipment Operator-Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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