Cage operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between cage operators and machine operator/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a cage operator, becoming a machine operator/forklift operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a cage operator has an average salary of $35,991, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a cage operator include cash handling, cage operations and slot machines. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Cage operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Cage Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$35,991	$32,452
Hourly rate	$17.30	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	30,557	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 38%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	2	4

Cage operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Cage operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cage Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$35,991	$32,452
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $46,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Renton, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between cage operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a cage operator and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Cage Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 38%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Accounting	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cage operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between cage operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

	Cage Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.8% White, 73.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between cage operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Cage operator example responsibilities.

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Wash and tumble floor, responsible for cleaning soil linens/uniforms operating washers and dryers.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.

Cage operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common cage operator skills

Cash Handling, 49%
Cage Operations, 32%
Slot Machines, 19%

Common machine operator/forklift operator skills

Safety Standards, 17%
Drive Forklift, 9%
Load Trucks, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
CNC, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Cage Operator
Cage Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs