Batch plant operator vs forklift operator

The differences between batch plant operators and forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a batch plant operator, becoming a forklift operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a batch plant operator has an average salary of $41,126, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a batch plant operator include asphalt, plant equipment and front end loader. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Batch plant operator vs forklift operator overview

	Batch Plant Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$41,126	$34,213
Hourly rate	$19.77	$16.45
Growth rate	-7%	7%
Number of jobs	45,697	213,020
Job satisfaction	5	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	47	43
Years of experience	6	4

What does a batch plant operator do?

A batch plant operator is in charge of overseeing factory activities and procedures, ensuring the batch adheres to the clients' orders and goes along with the company's standards and regulations. They primarily conduct quality assurance tests to inspect mixtures, recommend solutions to improve the mixtures' quality, produce progress reports, and maintain records. A batch plant operator also has the authority to set goals and guidelines, manage schedules, supervise and delegate responsibilities among staff, liaise with internal and external parties, and handle delivery slips.

What does a forklift operator do?

Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.

Batch plant operator vs forklift operator salary

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

	Batch Plant Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$41,126	$34,213
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $54,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between batch plant operator and forklift operator education

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

	Batch Plant Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Batch plant operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between batch plant operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Batch Plant Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	47	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.2% Female, 4.8%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 4.3% White, 59.6% 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	11%	4%

Differences between batch plant operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Batch plant operator example responsibilities.

Manage environmental team planning and maintenance response services.
Operate a loader and run the batch plant
Run equipment like loaders, manlifts, and forklifts for set and take of mobile plants.
Work in wet cast setting up products and also setting up special orders, and run over head cranes.
Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
Assist in routine maintenance or repair of mining machinery.

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.

Batch plant operator vs forklift operator skills

Common batch plant operator skills

Asphalt, 19%
Plant Equipment, 14%
Front End Loader, 13%
Plant Maintenance, 9%
Hand Tools, 7%
Production Data, 4%

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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Batch Plant Operator
Batch Plant Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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