Mower operator vs yard worker

The differences between mower operators and yard workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a mower operator and a yard worker. Additionally, a yard worker has an average salary of $32,628, which is higher than the $31,027 average annual salary of a mower operator.

The top three skills for a mower operator include GRASS, mowing and rakes. The most important skills for a yard worker are OSHA, basic math, and strong customer service.

Mower operator vs yard worker overview

	Mower Operator	Yard Worker
Yearly salary	$31,027	$32,628
Hourly rate	$14.92	$15.69
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	27,318	63,408
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	2	2

Mower operator vs yard worker salary

Mower operators and yard workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mower Operator	Yard Worker
Average salary	$31,027	$32,628
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Rasmussen Co Inc
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between mower operator and yard worker education

There are a few differences between a mower operator and a yard worker in terms of educational background:

	Mower Operator	Yard Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Mower operator vs yard worker demographics

Here are the differences between mower operators' and yard workers' demographics:

	Mower Operator	Yard Worker
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between mower operator and yard worker duties and responsibilities

Mower operator example responsibilities.

Maintain, operate, and manage a riding lawn-mower to ensure that it run to the best of itscapabilities.
Operate different power mowers, blowers, weed whackers, trimmers etc.
Mow grass, weed whacking, and blowing off remains.
Trim grass using the lawn mower, operate the weed eater, and leaf blower.
Drive mowing route, repairing mowers on the spot when they break, mowing yards to look neat and professional
Operate specialty mowers for fairways and greens along with rough and sand trap maintenance.

Yard worker example responsibilities.

Used mowers, weed whackers/trimmers and rakes to maintain yards
Used forklifts and bucket loaders to load and unload purchase products and materials.
Obtain CDL license and deliver lumber and other home building hardware to various contractors.
Work in yard stock shelfs deliverd materials run fork lift drive boom truck and flat bed
Unload and load rolls of paper, operate cranes, drive trucks around the yard.
Operate bobcat and mini excavator to prepare area for sidewalk construction, drain installation, and cleanup.

Mower operator vs yard worker skills

Common mower operator skills

GRASS, 40%
Mowing, 32%
Rakes, 18%
Mowers, 4%
Blowers, 2%
Snow Removal, 1%

Common yard worker skills

OSHA, 17%
Basic Math, 15%
Strong Customer Service, 11%
Math, 11%
Customer Service, 11%
Safety Procedures, 8%

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Building and Grounds Maintenance Industry
Mower Operator
Mower Operator vs Yard Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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