Snow plow operator vs equipment operator

The differences between snow plow operators and equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a snow plow operator, becoming an equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a snow plow operator has an average salary of $38,842, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.

The top three skills for a snow plow operator include CDL, loaders and end loaders. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.

Snow plow operator vs equipment operator overview

	Snow Plow Operator	Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$38,842	$31,739
Hourly rate	$18.67	$15.26
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	35,630	62,473
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	47	45
Years of experience	12	4

Snow plow operator vs equipment operator salary

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

	Snow Plow Operator	Equipment Operator
Average salary	$38,842	$31,739
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $52,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	SeaTac, WA	Indianapolis, IN
Highest paying state	Washington	Connecticut
Best paying company	Stearns County MN	Nelsen Partners
Best paying industry	Finance	Energy

Differences between snow plow operator and equipment operator education

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

	Snow Plow Operator	Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 44%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Snow plow operator vs equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between snow plow operators' and equipment operators' demographics:

	Snow Plow Operator	Equipment Operator
Average age	47	45
Gender ratio	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%	Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 0.5% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	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	4%	2%

Differences between snow plow operator and equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Snow plow operator example responsibilities.

Manage receipt, storage and issue of ammunition processes.
Provide maintenance, fertilization, aeration, seeding, mowing, planting, weeding, and trimming services.
Programme CNC machine for component placement and trigonometry assessment of circuitry board.
Mow multiple locations including residential and cemeteries.

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.

Snow plow operator vs equipment operator skills

Common snow plow operator skills

CDL, 29%
Loaders, 18%
End Loaders, 11%
Plow Truck, 6%
Snow Blowers, 5%
Hazardous Materials, 4%

Common equipment operator skills

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

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Snow Plow Operator vs Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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