Trenching machine operator vs excavator operator

The differences between trenching machine operators and excavator operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a trenching machine operator and an excavator operator. Additionally, an excavator operator has an average salary of $46,102, which is higher than the $39,238 average annual salary of a trenching machine operator.

The top three skills for a trenching machine operator include ditch, and . The most important skills for an excavator operator are CDL, OSHA, and backhoe.

Trenching machine operator vs excavator operator overview

	Trenching Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Yearly salary	$39,238	$46,102
Hourly rate	$18.86	$22.16
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	57,719	36,584
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Trenching machine operator vs excavator operator salary

Trenching machine operators and excavator operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Trenching Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Average salary	$39,238	$46,102
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $54,000	Between $33,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Roto
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between trenching machine operator and excavator operator education

There are a few differences between a trenching machine operator and an excavator operator in terms of educational background:

	Trenching Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies
Most common college	-	-

Trenching machine operator vs excavator operator demographics

Here are the differences between trenching machine operators' and excavator operators' demographics:

	Trenching Machine Operator	Excavator Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between trenching machine operator and excavator operator duties and responsibilities

Trenching machine operator example responsibilities.

Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Perform repair and preventive maintenance on machinery including cleaning, oiling and adjusting.

Excavator operator example responsibilities.

Experience in operating heavy equipment including excavators, front end loaders, skid loaders, tractors, etc.
Obtain CDL with Hazmat and tanker endorsements.
Create safe slopes and proper barricading during excavations.
Locate under grind utilitys via blue print GPS mapdata.
Position is a laborer working on the mowing crew.
Dig safe bell holes that meet osha standards and company policy standards

Trenching machine operator vs excavator operator skills

Common trenching machine operator skills

Ditch, 100%

Common excavator operator skills

CDL, 12%
OSHA, 10%
Backhoe, 9%
Manual Labor, 8%
Asphalt, 6%
Plumbing, 6%

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Trenching Machine Operator
Trenching Machine Operator vs Excavator Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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