Belt operator vs terminal operator

The differences between belt operators and terminal 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 belt operator and a terminal operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, which is higher than the $33,004 average annual salary of a belt operator.

The top three skills for a belt operator include lean six sigma, CIP and safety procedures. The most important skills for a terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Belt operator vs terminal operator overview

	Belt Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$33,004	$39,948
Hourly rate	$15.87	$19.21
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	53,317	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Belt operator vs terminal operator salary

Belt operators and terminal operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Belt Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$33,004	$39,948
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between belt operator and terminal operator education

There are a few differences between a belt operator and a terminal operator in terms of educational background:

	Belt Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Belt operator vs terminal operator demographics

Here are the differences between belt operators' and terminal operators' demographics:

	Belt Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 81.0% Female, 19.0%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between belt operator and terminal operator duties and responsibilities

Belt operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Manufacture ammunition from components using a power loading machine.

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Belt operator vs terminal operator skills

Common belt operator skills

Lean Six Sigma, 32%
CIP, 28%
Safety Procedures, 15%
Production Schedules, 12%
Sigma, 6%
RAN, 5%

Common terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Belt Operator
Belt Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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