Track hoe operator vs laydown machine operator

The differences between track hoe operators and laydown machine 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 track hoe operator, becoming a laydown machine operator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a track hoe operator has an average salary of $46,992, which is higher than the $33,663 average annual salary of a laydown machine operator.

The top three skills for a track hoe operator include track hoe, loaders and bulldozers. The most important skills for a laydown machine operator are rig, RAN, and drill pipe.

Track hoe operator vs laydown machine operator overview

	Track Hoe Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$46,992	$33,663
Hourly rate	$22.59	$16.18
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	26,675	53,653
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 67%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	4	2

Track hoe operator vs laydown machine operator salary

Track hoe operators and laydown machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Track Hoe Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Average salary	$46,992	$33,663
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $59,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between track hoe operator and laydown machine operator education

There are a few differences between a track hoe operator and a laydown machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Track Hoe Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 67%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Track hoe operator vs laydown machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between track hoe operators' and laydown machine operators' demographics:

	Track Hoe Operator	Laydown Machine Operator
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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 track hoe operator and laydown machine operator duties and responsibilities

Track hoe operator example responsibilities.

Clean, load and unload asphalt for construction work sites.
Clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris and other waste materials.
Operate various large excavators, for demolition and excavating
Have ran various size dozers from cat d5 to cat d11.
Operate 650 JD , 700, JDPush brush, clear land for surface mine, reclaim steep grade, fix landslide.
Finish grade slopes with D5 dozer, and finish grade all west bound lanes and exits

Laydown machine operator example responsibilities.

Operate jetco, ditchwitch, and vermer trenchers digging ditch and back filling ditch.
Work the rig floor operating break out tongs, v door, pulling slips and also roll pipe.
Demonstrate proficiency in operation of backhoe, trenchers, boom and dump truck.
Go to drilling rig, laid down drilling pipe and collars and pick up casing.
Rig the machine up and run casing to and from various types of oil rigs.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.

Track hoe operator vs laydown machine operator skills

Common track hoe operator skills

Track Hoe, 30%
Loaders, 19%
Bulldozers, 14%
Asphalt, 11%
Grade Stakes, 10%
DIG, 4%

Common laydown machine operator skills

Rig, 58%
RAN, 16%
Drill Pipe, 11%
DOT Regulations, 7%
JSA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 4%

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Track Hoe Operator
Track Hoe Operator vs Laydown Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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