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Road equipment operator vs operating engineer apprentice

The differences between road equipment operators and operating engineers apprentice can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a road equipment operator and an operating engineer apprentice. Additionally, an operating engineer apprentice has an average salary of $55,924, which is higher than the $45,053 average annual salary of a road equipment operator.

The top three skills for a road equipment operator include asphalt, CDL and loaders. The most important skills for an operating engineer apprentice are mechanical equipment, plumbing, and CDL.

Road equipment operator vs operating engineer apprentice overview

Road Equipment OperatorOperating Engineer Apprentice
Yearly salary$45,053$55,924
Hourly rate$21.66$26.89
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs54,82317,366
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

Road equipment operator vs operating engineer apprentice salary

Road equipment operators and operating engineers apprentice have different pay scales, as shown below.

Road Equipment OperatorOperating Engineer Apprentice
Average salary$45,053$55,924
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $57,000Between $43,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between road equipment operator and operating engineer apprentice education

There are a few differences between a road equipment operator and an operating engineer apprentice in terms of educational background:

Road Equipment OperatorOperating Engineer Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorMechanical EngineeringBusiness
Most common college--

Road equipment operator vs operating engineer apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between road equipment operators' and operating engineers apprentice' demographics:

Road Equipment OperatorOperating Engineer Apprentice
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 92.7% Female, 7.3%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 0.9% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 0.9% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between road equipment operator and operating engineer apprentice duties and responsibilities

Road equipment operator example responsibilities.

  • Operate cranes in various indoor and outdoor locations where maneuverability is restricted and accuracy is critical.
  • Operate cranes in various indoor and outdoor locations where maneuverability is restricted and accuracy is critical.

Operating engineer apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Edit geotechnical and tunneling drawings using AutoCAD and MicroStation.
  • Assist with plumbing and work as a temporary employee.
  • Integrate technology into curriculum, supplementing class lectures and developing student's researching skills and internet and PowerPoint proficiency.
  • Remove and install custom size vinyl replacement windows for residential homes and commercial

Road equipment operator vs operating engineer apprentice skills

Common road equipment operator skills
  • Asphalt, 27%
  • CDL, 25%
  • Loaders, 18%
  • Construction Sites, 7%
  • Road Construction, 7%
  • Construction Equipment, 7%
Common operating engineer apprentice skills
  • Mechanical Equipment, 40%
  • Plumbing, 30%
  • CDL, 9%
  • Cooling Towers, 7%
  • Mechanical Systems, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%

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