Cat operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between cat operators and production 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 production forklift operator. Additionally, a cat operator has an average salary of $35,910, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

The top three skills for a cat operator include CDL, DIG and . The most important skills for a production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Cat operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Cat Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$35,910	$34,322
Hourly rate	$17.26	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,866	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Cat operator vs production forklift operator salary

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

	Cat Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$35,910	$34,322
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $46,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Darigold
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between cat operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Cat Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cat operator vs production forklift operator demographics

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

	Cat Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between cat operator and production 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.

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Cat operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common cat operator skills

CDL, 62%
DIG, 38%

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Cat Operator
Cat Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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