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What is a small equipment operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a small equipment operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $17.7 an hour? That's $36,820 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 22,000 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreSmall Equipment OperatorUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $36,820

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.9

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.01%

Asian 0.90%

Black or African American 5.78%

Hispanic or Latino 12.74%

Unknown 4.35%

White 74.21%

Gender

female 13.31%

male 86.69%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress Level
7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.0

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
0.1

Work Life balance is

6.4 - fair

Small Equipment Operator career paths

Key steps to become a small equipment operator

  1. Explore small equipment operator education requirements

    Most common small equipment operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    46.1 %

    Bachelor's

    27.8 %

    Associate

    12.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific small equipment operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Routine Maintenance46.16%
    Customer Specifications17.05%
    Asphalt9.30%
    Boats7.55%
    General Maintenance4.23%
  3. Complete relevant small equipment operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New small equipment operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a small equipment operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real small equipment operator resumes.
  4. Research small equipment operator duties and responsibilities

    • Certify in the use of forklifts, clamp trucks and skidster
    • Field work include all preparation for planting through harvest on particular operation including liquid manure spreading.
    • Manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients using GMP format and aseptic techniques.
  5. Prepare your small equipment operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your small equipment operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a small equipment operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Small Equipment Operator Resume templates

    Build a professional Small Equipment Operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Small Equipment Operator resume.
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
    Small Equipment Operator Resume
  6. Apply for small equipment operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a small equipment operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Small Equipment Operator Job

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Average small equipment operator salary

The average Small Equipment Operator salary in the United States is $36,820 per year or $18 per hour. Small equipment operator salaries range between $27,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average Small Equipment Operator Salary
$36,820 Yearly
$17.70 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do small equipment operators rate their job?

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Small Equipment Operator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2023
Cons

Sitting idle with nothing to do


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

Dirt crews.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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