Trenching machine operator vs heavy machine operator

The differences between trenching machine operators and heavy machine 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 a heavy machine operator. Additionally, a trenching machine operator has an average salary of $39,238, which is higher than the $38,232 average annual salary of a heavy machine operator.

The top three skills for a trenching machine operator include ditch, and . The most important skills for a heavy machine operator are cranes, preventative maintenance, and CNC.

Trenching machine operator vs heavy machine operator overview

	Trenching Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$39,238	$38,232
Hourly rate	$18.86	$18.38
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	57,719	73,011
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Trenching machine operator vs heavy machine operator salary

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

	Trenching Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average salary	$39,238	$38,232
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $54,000	Between $29,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between trenching machine operator and heavy machine operator education

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

	Trenching Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 53%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Trenching machine operator vs heavy machine operator demographics

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

	Trenching Machine Operator	Heavy Machine Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%
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 heavy machine 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.

Heavy machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Dig trenches and level earth to grade specification, using pick, shovel and backhoe.
Operate heavy machinery, manual labor and assisting crew where need; CDL driving for certain jobs
Operate excavation and loading machines equip with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig gravel and earth.
Make excavations and load different material using a loader.
Load & unload trucks with forklift or bobcat for outbound delivery.

Trenching machine operator vs heavy machine operator skills

Common trenching machine operator skills

Ditch, 100%

Common heavy machine operator skills

Cranes, 13%
Preventative Maintenance, 13%
CNC, 12%
Grinders, 12%
Troubleshoot, 11%
Load Trucks, 6%

Trenching Machine Operator vs. similar jobs

Trenching Machine Operator related careers

Trenching Machine Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Trenching Machine Operator
Trenching Machine Operator vs Heavy Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs