Payloader operator vs trenching machine operator

The differences between payloader operators and trenching 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 trenching machine operator. Additionally, a trenching machine operator has an average salary of $39,238, 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 trenching machine operator are ditch, , and .

Payloader operator vs trenching machine operator overview

	Payloader Operator	Trenching Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$36,148	$39,238
Hourly rate	$17.38	$18.86
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	30,099	57,719
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Payloader operator vs trenching machine operator salary

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

	Payloader Operator	Trenching Machine Operator
Average salary	$36,148	$39,238
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $53,000	Between $28,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between payloader operator and trenching machine operator education

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

	Payloader Operator	Trenching Machine Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Aviation	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Payloader operator vs trenching machine operator demographics

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

	Payloader Operator	Trenching Machine Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.4% Female, 2.6%	Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%
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 trenching 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.

Trenching machine operator example responsibilities.

Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Perform repair and preventive maintenance on machinery including cleaning, oiling and adjusting.

Payloader operator vs trenching machine operator skills

Common payloader operator skills

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

Common trenching machine operator skills

Ditch, 100%

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Payloader Operator
Payloader Operator vs Trenching Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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