Spray operator vs spreader operator

The differences between spray operators and spreader operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a spray operator, becoming a spreader operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a spreader operator has an average salary of $38,453, which is higher than the $35,641 average annual salary of a spray operator.

The top three skills for a spray operator include calipers, grit and machine operation. The most important skills for a spreader operator are loaders, OSHA, and CDL.

Spray operator vs spreader operator overview

	Spray Operator	Spreader Operator
Yearly salary	$35,641	$38,453
Hourly rate	$17.14	$18.49
Growth rate	2%	5%
Number of jobs	30,093	30,111
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	Associate Degree, 34%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	4	2

Spray operator vs spreader operator salary

Spray operators and spreader operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Spray Operator	Spreader Operator
Average salary	$35,641	$38,453
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $48,000	Between $26,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between spray operator and spreader operator education

There are a few differences between a spray operator and a spreader operator in terms of educational background:

	Spray Operator	Spreader Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	Associate Degree, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Spray operator vs spreader operator demographics

Here are the differences between spray operators' and spreader operators' demographics:

	Spray Operator	Spreader Operator
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.5% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between spray operator and spreader operator duties and responsibilities

Spray operator example responsibilities.

Spray paint special make glass products including drink glasses and candles both free-hand and using CNC guide paint arm.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

Spreader operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Work together as a four-man team manually making plywood, pull green chain.

Spray operator vs spreader operator skills

Common spray operator skills

Calipers, 24%
Grit, 18%
Machine Operation, 14%
CDL, 14%
Hand Tools, 9%
CNC, 8%

Common spreader operator skills

Loaders, 37%
OSHA, 30%
CDL, 23%
Asphalt, 10%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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