Tunneling machine operator vs machine operator

The differences between tunneling machine operators and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator has an average salary of $32,874, which is higher than the $29,347 average annual salary of a tunneling machine operator.

The top three skills for a tunneling machine operator include control room, dryers and . The most important skills for a machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Tunneling machine operator vs machine operator overview

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$29,347	$32,874
Hourly rate	$14.11	$15.80
Growth rate	7%	-6%
Number of jobs	53,605	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	2	-

Tunneling machine operator vs machine operator salary

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

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Average salary	$29,347	$32,874
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $36,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between tunneling machine operator and machine operator education

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

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 63%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tunneling machine operator vs machine operator demographics

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

	Tunneling Machine Operator	Machine Operator
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	3%	5%

Differences between tunneling machine operator and machine 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.

Machine operator example responsibilities.

Conduct preventative maintenance checks on industrial brake manufacturing machines and forklifts.
Follow company and safety procedures using industrial chemicals and PPE to efficiently clean and sanitize all equipment.
Operate forklift and bobcat as needed.
Run a line in a PVC pipe production plant.
Operate machinery including forklift, bobcat and various power tools.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Tunneling machine operator vs machine operator skills

Common tunneling machine operator skills

Control Room, 84%
Dryers, 16%

Common machine operator skills

Basic Math, 11%
CNC, 9%
Math, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

Tunneling Machine Operator vs. similar jobs

Tunneling Machine Operator related careers

Tunneling Machine Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Construction and Extraction Industry
Tunneling Machine Operator
Tunneling Machine Operator vs Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse construction and extraction jobs