Payloader operator vs laydown machine operator

The differences between payloader operators and laydown machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a payloader operator, becoming a laydown machine operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a payloader operator has an average salary of $36,148, which is higher than the $33,663 average annual salary of a laydown machine operator.

The top three skills for a payloader operator include mission planning, UAS and UAV. The most important skills for a laydown machine operator are rig, RAN, and drill pipe.

Payloader operator vs laydown machine operator overview

	Payloader Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$36,148	$33,663
Hourly rate	$17.38	$16.18
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	30,099	53,653
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	4	2

Payloader operator vs laydown machine operator salary

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

	Payloader Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Average salary	$36,148	$33,663
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $53,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between payloader operator and laydown machine operator education

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

	Payloader Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Aviation	Business
Most common college	-	-

Payloader operator vs laydown machine operator demographics

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

	Payloader Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6%	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%
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, 5.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 0.9% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between payloader operator and laydown 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.

Laydown machine operator example responsibilities.

Operate jetco, ditchwitch, and vermer trenchers digging ditch and back filling ditch.
Work the rig floor operating break out tongs, v door, pulling slips and also roll pipe.
Demonstrate proficiency in operation of backhoe, trenchers, boom and dump truck.
Go to drilling rig, laid down drilling pipe and collars and pick up casing.
Rig the machine up and run casing to and from various types of oil rigs.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.

Payloader operator vs laydown machine operator skills

Common payloader operator skills

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

Common laydown machine operator skills

Rig, 58%
RAN, 16%
Drill Pipe, 11%
DOT Regulations, 7%
JSA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

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Payloader Operator
Payloader Operator vs Laydown Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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