Payloader operator vs dragline operator

The differences between payloader operators and dragline 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 payloader operator and a dragline operator. Additionally, a dragline operator has an average salary of $38,382, which is higher than the $36,148 average annual salary of a payloader operator.

The top three skills for a payloader operator include mission planning, UAS and UAV. The most important skills for a dragline operator are MSHA, loaders, and .

Payloader operator vs dragline operator overview

	Payloader Operator	Dragline Operator
Yearly salary	$36,148	$38,382
Hourly rate	$17.38	$18.45
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	30,099	30,148
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 60%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Payloader operator vs dragline operator salary

Payloader operators and dragline operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Payloader Operator	Dragline Operator
Average salary	$36,148	$38,382
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $53,000	Between $26,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between payloader operator and dragline operator education

There are a few differences between a payloader operator and a dragline operator in terms of educational background:

	Payloader Operator	Dragline Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 60%
Most common major	Aviation	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies
Most common college	-	-

Payloader operator vs dragline operator demographics

Here are the differences between payloader operators' and dragline operators' demographics:

	Payloader Operator	Dragline Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6%	Male, 98.4% Female, 1.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between payloader operator and dragline operator duties and responsibilities

Payloader operator example responsibilities.

Perform payload operations and flight engineer duties including creating and managing Sigact (significant acts) PowerPoint presentations.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Perform both day and nighttime air reconnaissance missions.
Launch and re-cover the UAV using militarize radio controller.
Protect surface combat units and supply convoys in two war zones.
Prepare and conduct air reconnaissance surveillance, targeting and acquisition missions.

Dragline operator example responsibilities.

wheel loaders, dozers and dragling, also complete tasks in welding and working on kenworth dump trucks.
Have ran draglines, trackhoes, backhoes, dozers, versahandlers, crains, and directional bore drilling equipment.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Load and unload merchandise from trucksDaily equipment checksDispose of waste following DHEC regulations

Payloader operator vs dragline operator skills

Common payloader operator skills

Mission Planning, 40%
UAS, 23%
UAV, 14%
Flight Operations, 10%
Troubleshoot, 8%
Combat, 5%

Common dragline operator skills

MSHA, 55%
Loaders, 45%

Payloader Operator vs. similar jobs

Payloader Operator related careers

Payloader Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Payloader Operator
Payloader Operator vs Dragline Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs