Baler operator vs forklift operator

The differences between baler operators and forklift 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 forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $32,608 average annual salary of a baler operator.

The top three skills for a baler operator include perform routine maintenance, routine maintenance and rail cars. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Baler operator vs forklift operator overview

	Baler Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,608	$34,213
Hourly rate	$15.68	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	53,639	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Baler operator vs forklift operator salary

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

	Baler Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$32,608	$34,213
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	North Dakota	North Dakota
Best paying company	Schnitzer Steel	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	Transportation	Automotive

Differences between baler operator and forklift operator education

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

	Baler Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Baler operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between baler operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Baler Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
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, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between baler operator and forklift 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.

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.

Baler operator vs forklift operator skills

Common baler operator skills

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

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Baler Operator
Baler Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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