Spreader operator vs road grader

The differences between spreader operators and road graders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a spreader operator and a road grader. Additionally, a road grader has an average salary of $44,719, which is higher than the $38,453 average annual salary of a spreader operator.

The top three skills for a spreader operator include loaders, OSHA and CDL. The most important skills for a road grader are loaders, mowing, and .

Spreader operator vs road grader overview

	Spreader Operator	Road Grader
Yearly salary	$38,453	$44,719
Hourly rate	$18.49	$21.50
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	30,111	14,282
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

Spreader operator vs road grader salary

Spreader operators and road graders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Spreader Operator	Road Grader
Average salary	$38,453	$44,719
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $56,000	Between $28,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between spreader operator and road grader education

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

	Spreader Operator	Road Grader
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 34%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Spreader operator vs road grader demographics

Here are the differences between spreader operators' and road graders' demographics:

	Spreader Operator	Road Grader
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%	Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8%
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, 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	2%	2%

Differences between spreader operator and road grader duties and responsibilities

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.

Road grader example responsibilities.

Provide feedback on errors, manage records on blackboard and proctore during exams.
Identify problems and determine corrective actions with plant management in reference to USDA regulations.
Operate dryers to dry wood, utility, and grade wood off the sort table into the proper cart.

Spreader operator vs road grader skills

Common spreader operator skills

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

Common road grader skills

Loaders, 61%
Mowing, 39%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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