Special equipment operator vs equipment operator

The differences between special equipment operators and equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special equipment operator has an average salary of $44,694, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.

The top three skills for a special equipment operator include loaders, CDL and production lines. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.

Special equipment operator vs equipment operator overview

	Special Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$44,694	$31,739
Hourly rate	$21.49	$15.26
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	54,350	62,473
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	44	45
Years of experience	-	4

Special equipment operator vs equipment operator salary

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

	Special Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator
Average salary	$44,694	$31,739
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $58,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Goodyear, AZ	Indianapolis, IN
Highest paying state	Alaska	Connecticut
Best paying company	Arkansas Electric Cooperative	Nelsen Partners
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between special equipment operator and equipment operator education

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

	Special Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Special equipment operator vs equipment operator demographics

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

	Special Equipment Operator	Equipment Operator
Average age	44	45
Gender ratio	Male, 87.2% Female, 12.8%	Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 17.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 25.5% Asian, 1.0% White, 50.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%	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	10%	2%

Differences between special equipment operator and equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Special equipment operator example responsibilities.

Obtain CDL to drive large trucks.
Use a RF computer attach on fork truck.
Return any leftover material to previous location and relocate in system with RF scanner.
Follow all power equipment rules and regulation including any regulatory agency policies to include OSHA.
Analyze past occurrences to apply preventative maintenance.

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.

Special equipment operator vs equipment operator skills

Common special equipment operator skills

Loaders, 51%
CDL, 25%
Production Lines, 9%
RF, 8%
DOT, 4%
Clamp Truck, 2%

Common equipment operator skills

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

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Special Equipment Operator
Special Equipment Operator vs Equipment Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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