Small equipment operator vs combination operator

The differences between small equipment operators and combination operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a small equipment operator has an average salary of $36,820, which is higher than the $30,962 average annual salary of a combination operator.

The top three skills for a small equipment operator include routine maintenance, customer specifications and asphalt. The most important skills for a combination operator are harvest, wheat, and mechanical problems.

Small equipment operator vs combination operator overview

	Small Equipment Operator	Combination Operator
Yearly salary	$36,820	$30,962
Hourly rate	$17.70	$14.89
Growth rate	5%	1%
Number of jobs	45,412	29,760
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age	45	40
Years of experience	2	-

Small equipment operator vs combination operator salary

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

	Small Equipment Operator	Combination Operator
Average salary	$36,820	$30,962
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $48,000	Between $23,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between small equipment operator and combination operator education

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

	Small Equipment Operator	Combination Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Small equipment operator vs combination operator demographics

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

	Small Equipment Operator	Combination Operator
Average age	45	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9%
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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	3%

Differences between small equipment operator and combination 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.

Combination operator example responsibilities.

Set up and manage GPS equipment for optimum harvesting efficiency.
Operate a combine with and without GPS and to cut wheat, canola, corn, and soybeans.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Satisfy USDA standards and specifications within the facility.

Small equipment operator vs combination operator skills

Common small equipment operator skills

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

Common combination operator skills

Harvest, 57%
Wheat, 22%
Mechanical Problems, 4%
Safety Procedures, 3%
Farm Equipment, 3%
CDL, 3%

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Small Equipment Operator vs Combination Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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