Small equipment operator vs equipment operator

The differences between small equipment operators and equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a small equipment operator, becoming an equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a small equipment operator has an average salary of $36,820, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.

The top three skills for a small equipment operator include routine maintenance, customer specifications and asphalt. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.

Small equipment operator vs equipment operator overview

	Small Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$36,820	$31,739
Hourly rate	$17.70	$15.26
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	45,412	62,473
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	4

Small equipment operator vs equipment operator salary

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

	Small Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator
Average salary	$36,820	$31,739
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $48,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Indianapolis, IN
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Nelsen Partners
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between small equipment operator and equipment operator education

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

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

Small equipment operator vs equipment operator demographics

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

	Small Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%
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, 7.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between small equipment operator and equipment 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.

Equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate track loader, dozer, excavator, track skid loader, rubber tire loader, and haul truck as assigned.
Operate heavy equipment including loaders and rollers.
Operate bulldozers, compactors, and scrapers for residential land development
Work include backhoe operation, equipment operation, landscaping and snow removal
Operate backhoes and trench diggers.

Small equipment operator vs equipment operator skills

Common small equipment operator skills

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

Common equipment operator skills

CDL, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Asphalt, 5%
Backhoe, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
Safety Rules, 4%

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Small Equipment Operator
Small Equipment Operator vs Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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