Small equipment operator vs chopper operator

The differences between small equipment operators and chopper operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chopper operator has an average salary of $37,989, which is higher than the $36,820 average annual salary of a small equipment operator.

Small equipment operator vs chopper operator overview

	Small Equipment Operator	Chopper Operator
Yearly salary	$36,820	$37,989
Hourly rate	$17.70	$18.26
Growth rate	5%	1%
Number of jobs	45,412	30,108
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 38%
Average age	45	40
Years of experience	2	-

Small equipment operator vs chopper operator salary

Small equipment operators and chopper operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Small Equipment Operator	Chopper Operator
Average salary	$36,820	$37,989
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $48,000	Between $25,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between small equipment operator and chopper operator education

There are a few differences between a small equipment operator and a chopper operator in terms of educational background:

	Small Equipment Operator	Chopper Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Small equipment operator vs chopper operator demographics

Here are the differences between small equipment operators' and chopper operators' demographics:

	Small Equipment Operator	Chopper Operator
Average age	45	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 30.1% Asian, 1.8% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	2%	3%

Differences between small equipment operator and chopper operator duties and responsibilities

Small equipment operator example 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.

Chopper operator example responsibilities.

Set up and manage GPS equipment for optimum harvesting efficiency.
Learned to operate rake and form windrows for balers.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.

Small equipment operator vs chopper operator skills

Common small equipment operator skills

Routine Maintenance, 46%
Customer Specifications, 17%
Asphalt, 9%
Boats, 8%
General Maintenance, 4%
Mowing, 3%

Common chopper operator skills

Small Equipment Operator vs. similar jobs

Small Equipment Operator related careers

Small Equipment Operator related jobs

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Small Equipment Operator
Small Equipment Operator vs Chopper Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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