Cat operator vs forklift operator

The differences between cat 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 cat operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a cat operator has an average salary of $35,910, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a cat operator include CDL, DIG and . The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Cat operator vs forklift operator overview

	Cat Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$35,910	$34,213
Hourly rate	$17.26	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,866	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Cat operator vs forklift operator salary

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

	Cat Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$35,910	$34,213
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $46,000	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 cat operator and forklift operator education

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

	Cat Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cat operator vs forklift operator demographics

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

	Cat Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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 cat operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Cat operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Dig out around certains areas that hold too much snow and spread it out accordingly.
Provide leadership by establishing clear expectations and demonstrating high standards of work practices and safety conscious behavior.
Perform inventory accuracy transactions into MARC, load trailers, organize pallets into the warehouse and receive packaging materials.
Operate finish grade bulldozer with Topcon and/or Trimble G.P.S.
Provide troubleshooting, conflict management, and expedient resolution of technical and/or floor issues with solutions-orient leadership.

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.

Cat operator vs forklift operator skills

Common cat operator skills

CDL, 62%
DIG, 38%

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
Cat Operator
Cat Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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