Cat operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between cat operators and lift truck 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 lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, which is higher than the $35,910 average annual salary of a cat operator.

The top three skills for a cat operator include CDL, DIG and . The most important skills for a lift truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trailers.

Cat operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Cat Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$35,910	$36,973
Hourly rate	$17.26	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,866	103,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Cat operator vs lift truck operator salary

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

	Cat Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$35,910	$36,973
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $46,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Nestlé
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between cat operator and lift truck operator education

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

	Cat Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cat operator vs lift truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between cat operators' and lift truck operators' demographics:

	Cat Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between cat operator and lift truck 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.

Lift truck operator example responsibilities.

Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Cat operator vs lift truck operator skills

Common cat operator skills

CDL, 62%
DIG, 38%

Common lift truck operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Load Trailers, 6%
AS400, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Forks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Cat Operator
Cat Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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