Clamp operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between clamp operators and fork 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 clamp operator and a fork truck operator. Additionally, a clamp operator has an average salary of $32,832, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a clamp operator include pallets, OSHA and clamp truck. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Clamp operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Clamp Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$32,832	$32,272
Hourly rate	$15.78	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	91,015	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Clamp operator vs fork truck operator salary

Clamp operators and fork truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clamp Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$32,832	$32,272
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Colorado	Alaska
Best paying company	American Woodmark	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between clamp operator and fork truck operator education

There are a few differences between a clamp operator and a fork truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Clamp Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Clamp operator vs fork truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between clamp operators' and fork truck operators' demographics:

	Clamp Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 18.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between clamp operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Clamp operator example responsibilities.

Utilize and familiar with the WMS computer system.
Operate machines and equipment and troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
Load and unload delivery vehicles and assemble items onto pallets, warehouse trucks, racks, and shelves.
Transport pallets containing various products throughout the storage facility and ensure products are stacked in the correct bay.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Clamp operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common clamp operator skills

Pallets, 24%
OSHA, 8%
Clamp Truck, 7%
Assembly Line, 7%
Safety Guidelines, 6%
RF Scanner, 5%

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Clamp Operator
Clamp Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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