Tube operator vs equipment operator

The differences between tube operators and equipment operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a tube operator, becoming an equipment operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a tube operator has an average salary of $39,819, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.

The top three skills for a tube operator include CDL, post-job and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for an equipment operator are CDL, loaders, and asphalt.

Tube operator vs equipment operator overview

	Tube Operator	Equipment Operator
Yearly salary	$39,819	$31,739
Hourly rate	$19.14	$15.26
Growth rate	7%	5%
Number of jobs	33,235	62,473
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	40	45
Years of experience	2	4

Tube operator vs equipment operator salary

Tube operators and equipment operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tube Operator	Equipment Operator
Average salary	$39,819	$31,739
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $55,000	Between $24,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Indianapolis, IN
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Nelsen Partners
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between tube operator and equipment operator education

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

	Tube Operator	Equipment Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tube operator vs equipment operator demographics

Here are the differences between tube operators' and equipment operators' demographics:

	Tube Operator	Equipment Operator
Average age	40	45
Gender ratio	Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3%	Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.2% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%	Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between tube operator and equipment operator duties and responsibilities

Tube operator example responsibilities.

Manage HDD drilling unit, logging permit, transportation and laboratory analysis.
Receive first aid certifications, H2S training, Hazmat awareness training, CPR and various other training classes.
Perform downhole stimulation on oil and gas wells with and without H2S and with high and low bottom hole pressures.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Utilize proper PPE, FRC's, fire retardant clothing, glasses, hardhat and proper boots and gloves.
Use only clean material and PPE when inspecting fluid levels.

Equipment operator example responsibilities.

Manage and cross-train subordinates in several job-relate tasks while promoting leadership.
Operate track loader, dozer, excavator, track skid loader, rubber tire loader, and haul truck as assigned.
Operate heavy equipment including loaders and rollers.
Operate bulldozers, compactors, and scrapers for residential land development
Work include backhoe operation, equipment operation, landscaping and snow removal
Operate backhoes and trench diggers.

Tube operator vs equipment operator skills

Common tube operator skills

CDL, 21%
Post-Job, 18%
Post-Trip Inspections, 15%
Safety Rules, 7%
Equipment Inspections, 7%
Oil Gas, 5%

Common equipment operator skills

CDL, 10%
Loaders, 7%
Asphalt, 5%
Backhoe, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
Safety Rules, 4%