Paver operator vs heavy equipment operator

The differences between paver operators and heavy equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a paver operator, becoming a heavy equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a paver operator has an average salary of $42,531, which is higher than the $39,822 average annual salary of a heavy equipment operator.

The top three skills for a paver operator include asphalt, highway construction and loaders. The most important skills for a heavy equipment operator are loaders, backhoe, and CDL.

Paver operator vs heavy equipment operator overview

	Paver Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$42,531	$39,822
Hourly rate	$20.45	$19.15
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	34,683	47,261
Job satisfaction	-	4.6
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 54%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	4

Paver operator vs heavy equipment operator salary

Paver operators and heavy equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Paver Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average salary	$42,531	$39,822
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $56,000	Between $27,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	-	Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Moody's
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between paver operator and heavy equipment operator education

There are a few differences between a paver operator and a heavy equipment operator in terms of educational background:

	Paver Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Paver operator vs heavy equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between paver operators' and heavy equipment operators' demographics:

	Paver Operator	Heavy Equipment Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 98.5% Female, 1.5%	Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between paver operator and heavy equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Paver operator example responsibilities.

Receive MSHA training and implement safety procedures daily.
Crane operator, Bidwell paving machine operator and setup.
Help to ensure EPA and OSHA standards and procedures are followed.
Install dies, cutters, and extensions to screeds onto machines, using hand tools.
Train to operate equipment in a safe and effective manner in accordance to MSHA regulations.
Start engine and control paving machine to push dump truck and maintain constant flow of asphalt into hopper.

Heavy equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate trucks and equipment such as backhoe, dump trucks, front-end loader, hydraulic excavator, skid steers and bulldozers.
Operate heavy equipment including, but limit to, backhoe, excavators, bobcats, forklifts, trucks and wheel loaders.
Operate equipment used for construction purposes such as tankers, cranes, bulldozers, loaders, compost mixers and excavators.
Put down mulch cut grass, plant and dig up.
Work with asphalt, cut down trees, and dig trenches.

Paver operator vs heavy equipment operator skills

Common paver operator skills

Asphalt, 51%
Highway Construction, 9%
Loaders, 8%
OSHA, 7%
Construction Sites, 6%
Safety Standards, 4%

Common heavy equipment operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Backhoe, 6%
CDL, 6%
Asphalt, 5%
Safety Regulations, 5%
Dump Truck, 5%

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Paver Operator vs Heavy Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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