How To Become A Spreader Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a spreader operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a spreader operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $18.49 an hour? That's $38,453 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 22,000 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreSpreader OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,453

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.9

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.01%

Asian 0.90%

Black or African American 5.78%

Hispanic or Latino 12.74%

Unknown 4.35%

White 74.21%

Gender

female 25.00%

male 75.00%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

0.1

Work life balance is

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a spreader operator

Explore spreader operator education requirements

Most common spreader operator degrees

Associate

34.5 %

High School Diploma

27.6 %

Diploma

20.7 %

Start to develop specific spreader operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Loaders	36.94%
OSHA	29.64%
CDL	23.09%
Asphalt	10.34%

Complete relevant spreader operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New spreader operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a spreader operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real spreader operator resumes.

Research spreader operator duties and 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.

Prepare your spreader operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your spreader operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a spreader operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable spreader operator resume templates

Build a professional spreader operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your spreader operator resume.