Tunneling machine operator vs hole digger operator

The differences between tunneling machine operators and hole digger operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a tunneling machine operator and a hole digger operator. Additionally, a hole digger operator has an average salary of $41,681, which is higher than the $29,347 average annual salary of a tunneling machine operator.

Tunneling machine operator vs hole digger operator overview

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Hole Digger Operator
Yearly salary	$29,347	$41,681
Hourly rate	$14.11	$20.04
Growth rate	7%	4%
Number of jobs	53,605	32,655
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Tunneling machine operator vs hole digger operator salary

Tunneling machine operators and hole digger operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Hole Digger Operator
Average salary	$29,347	$41,681
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $36,000	Between $30,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between tunneling machine operator and hole digger operator education

There are a few differences between a tunneling machine operator and a hole digger operator in terms of educational background:

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Hole Digger Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	General Studies	Biology
Most common college	-	-

Tunneling machine operator vs hole digger operator demographics

Here are the differences between tunneling machine operators' and hole digger operators' demographics:

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Hole Digger Operator
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%	Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 0.8% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 0.8% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between tunneling machine operator and hole digger operator duties and responsibilities

Tunneling machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

Hole digger operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Load and unload merchandise from trucksDaily equipment checksDispose of waste following DHEC regulations

Tunneling machine operator vs hole digger operator skills

Common tunneling machine operator skills

Control Room, 84%
Dryers, 16%

Common hole digger operator skills

Tunneling Machine Operator vs. similar jobs

Tunneling Machine Operator related careers

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Construction and Extraction Industry
Tunneling Machine Operator
Tunneling Machine Operator vs Hole Digger Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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