Truck operator vs equipment operator-driver

The differences between truck operators and equipment operators-driver can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a truck operator, becoming an equipment operator-driver takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a truck operator has an average salary of $39,608, which is higher than the $36,429 average annual salary of an equipment operator-driver.

The top three skills for a truck operator include CDL, industrial cleaning and customer service. The most important skills for an equipment operator-driver are CDL, dump truck, and loaders.

Truck operator vs equipment operator-driver overview

	Truck Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Yearly salary	$39,608	$36,429
Hourly rate	$19.04	$17.51
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	667,980	607,301
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	48	45
Years of experience	2	4

Truck operator vs equipment operator-driver salary

Truck operators and equipment operators-driver have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Truck Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average salary	$39,608	$36,429
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $50,000	Between $28,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Saint Paul, MN	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Mars	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between truck operator and equipment operator-driver education

There are a few differences between a truck operator and an equipment operator-driver in terms of educational background:

	Truck Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Truck operator vs equipment operator-driver demographics

Here are the differences between truck operators' and equipment operators-driver' demographics:

	Truck Operator	Equipment Operator-Driver
Average age	48	45
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	2%

Differences between truck operator and equipment operator-driver duties and responsibilities

Truck operator example responsibilities.

Manage and execute standard operations of a semi-tractor trailer for OTR drop and hook services.
Possess HAZMAT license endorsement for volatile fuels and CDL.
Operate container delivery vehicles and transfer station equipment (wheel loaders) and tractor trailer driver.
Load haul trucks with excavators and front end loaders, excavate pits, ponds and cut roads.
Operate mowing and landscape equipment.
Operate a bobcat on job sites.

Equipment operator-driver example responsibilities.

Deliver hazmat material to job site.
Operate airfield/street sweepers to remove debris from pavement surfaces.
Unload full pallets and double pallets of groceries and merchandise.
Landscape, plant flowers, grass, shrubs and bushes.
Arrive at and depart from pickup and discharge points as required.
Conduct pre and post trip inspections and regularly service the vehicles.

Truck operator vs equipment operator-driver skills

Common truck operator skills

CDL, 24%
Industrial Cleaning, 6%
Customer Service, 5%
Bucket Truck, 5%
DOT, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 4%

Common equipment operator-driver skills

CDL, 23%
Dump Truck, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Tractor Trailer, 5%
DOT, 5%
Post-Trip Inspections, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Truck Operator
Truck Operator vs Equipment Operator-Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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