Operating engineer apprentice vs heavy machinery operator

The differences between operating engineers apprentice and heavy machinery operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an operating engineer apprentice and a heavy machinery operator. Additionally, an operating engineer apprentice has an average salary of $55,924, which is higher than the $31,351 average annual salary of a heavy machinery operator.

The top three skills for an operating engineer apprentice include mechanical equipment, plumbing and CDL. The most important skills for a heavy machinery operator are dump truck, backhoe, and load trucks.

Operating engineer apprentice vs heavy machinery operator overview

	Operating Engineer Apprentice	Heavy Machinery Operator
Yearly salary	$55,924	$31,351
Hourly rate	$26.89	$15.07
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	17,366	37,580
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Operating engineer apprentice vs heavy machinery operator salary

Operating engineers apprentice and heavy machinery operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operating Engineer Apprentice	Heavy Machinery Operator
Average salary	$55,924	$31,351
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $72,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Reedley, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between operating engineer apprentice and heavy machinery operator education

There are a few differences between an operating engineer apprentice and a heavy machinery operator in terms of educational background:

	Operating Engineer Apprentice	Heavy Machinery Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Operating engineer apprentice vs heavy machinery operator demographics

Here are the differences between operating engineers apprentice' and heavy machinery operators' demographics:

	Operating Engineer Apprentice	Heavy Machinery Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%	Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 0.9% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%	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	2%	2%

Differences between operating engineer apprentice and heavy machinery operator duties and responsibilities

Operating engineer apprentice example responsibilities.

Edit geotechnical and tunneling drawings using AutoCAD and MicroStation.
Assist with plumbing and work as a temporary employee.
Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and developing student's researching skills and internet and PowerPoint proficiency.
Remove and install custom size vinyl replacement windows for residential homes and commercial

Heavy machinery operator example responsibilities.

Used heavy machinery such as a bobcat, backhoe and forklift to move asphalt or material.
Operate CNC lathe along with several other pieces of machinery equipment.
Operate backhoe to excavate excess water/mud to build barriers to prevent a spill over onto roads and residential area.
Start engines, move throttle switch and levers, such as bulldozers, road graders and backhoes and relate machines.
Operate light machinery including bulldozers and maintainers
Reviewed/Approve area assessment reports and corrective action plans assuring compliance with applicable OSHA and EPA regulatory guidance.

Operating engineer apprentice vs heavy machinery operator skills

Common operating engineer apprentice skills

Mechanical Equipment, 40%
Plumbing, 30%
CDL, 9%
Cooling Towers, 7%
Mechanical Systems, 7%
Electrical Systems, 6%

Common heavy machinery operator skills

Dump Truck, 15%
Backhoe, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Front End Loader, 7%
CDL, 6%
Bobcat, 6%

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Operating Engineer Apprentice vs Heavy Machinery Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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