Skidder operator vs mill operator

The differences between skidder operators and mill 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 skidder operator and a mill operator. Additionally, a skidder operator has an average salary of $39,342, which is higher than the $39,045 average annual salary of a mill operator.

The top three skills for a skidder operator include transport logs, general maintenance and air filters. The most important skills for a mill operator are CNC, OSHA, and math.

Skidder operator vs mill operator overview

	Skidder Operator	Mill Operator
Yearly salary	$39,342	$39,045
Hourly rate	$18.91	$18.77
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,263	64,574
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Skidder operator vs mill operator salary

Skidder operators and mill operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Skidder Operator	Mill Operator
Average salary	$39,342	$39,045
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $49,000	Between $31,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Freeport-McMoRan
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between skidder operator and mill operator education

There are a few differences between a skidder operator and a mill operator in terms of educational background:

	Skidder Operator	Mill Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Skidder operator vs mill operator demographics

Here are the differences between skidder operators' and mill operators' demographics:

	Skidder Operator	Mill Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 2.1% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between skidder operator and mill operator duties and responsibilities

Skidder operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Operate a skidder, pulling logs to the landing after setting chokers on them
Perform inventory accuracy transactions into MARC, load trailers, organize pallets into the warehouse and receive packaging materials.
Hook and pull logs from wood areas to loading yard area and knuckle boom.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Mill operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Perform all work in respirator and other proper PPE.
Skil at training other machinists on CNC machines in this shop.
Assemble parts, operate CNC lathe and mills and adjust off sets.
Perform QC testing on products, filing paperwork per company and ISO standards.
Rebuild Rotex sifters, fabricate and replace screens, replace shoes and anvils in impact mills.

Skidder operator vs mill operator skills

Common skidder operator skills

Transport Logs, 30%
General Maintenance, 14%
Air Filters, 10%
Equipment Maintenance, 9%
Booms, 9%
CDL, 8%

Common mill operator skills

CNC, 7%
OSHA, 7%
Math, 6%
Calipers, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
Safety Rules, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Skidder Operator
Skidder Operator vs Mill Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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