Baler operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between baler operators and fork truck 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 baler operator and a fork truck operator. Additionally, a baler operator has an average salary of $32,608, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a baler operator include perform routine maintenance, routine maintenance and rail cars. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Baler operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Baler Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$32,608	$32,272
Hourly rate	$15.68	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	53,639	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Baler operator vs fork truck operator salary

Baler operators and fork truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Baler Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$32,608	$32,272
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	Schnitzer Steel	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	Transportation	Finance

Differences between baler operator and fork truck operator education

There are a few differences between a baler operator and a fork truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Baler Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Baler operator vs fork truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between baler operators' and fork truck operators' demographics:

	Baler Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between baler operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Baler operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Operate forklift to load and unload pallets, run baler to compact the recycled cardboard and stack the bales.
Hand stack pallets, customize based on needs and requirements of customer.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Baler operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common baler operator skills

Perform Routine Maintenance, 26%
Routine Maintenance, 17%
Rail Cars, 14%
Baling, 10%
Pallets, 8%
Hand Tools, 6%

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Baler Operator
Baler Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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