Payloader operator vs heavy machine operator

The differences between payloader operators and heavy machine 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 heavy machine operator. Additionally, a heavy machine operator has an average salary of $38,232, 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 heavy machine operator are cranes, preventative maintenance, and CNC.

Payloader operator vs heavy machine operator overview

	Payloader Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$36,148	$38,232
Hourly rate	$17.38	$18.38
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	30,099	73,011
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Payloader operator vs heavy machine operator salary

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

	Payloader Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average salary	$36,148	$38,232
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $53,000	Between $29,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between payloader operator and heavy machine operator education

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

	Payloader Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Aviation	Business
Most common college	-	-

Payloader operator vs heavy machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between payloader operators' and heavy machine operators' demographics:

	Payloader Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6%	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%
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 heavy machine 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.

Heavy machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Dig trenches and level earth to grade specification, using pick, shovel and backhoe.
Operate heavy machinery, manual labor and assisting crew where need; CDL driving for certain jobs
Operate excavation and loading machines equip with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig gravel and earth.
Make excavations and load different material using a loader.
Load & unload trucks with forklift or bobcat for outbound delivery.

Payloader operator vs heavy machine operator skills

Common payloader operator skills

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

Common heavy machine operator skills

Cranes, 13%
Preventative Maintenance, 13%
CNC, 12%
Grinders, 12%
Troubleshoot, 11%
Load Trucks, 6%

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Payloader Operator
Payloader Operator vs Heavy Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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