Clamp operator vs forklift operator

The differences between clamp 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 clamp operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $32,832 average annual salary of a clamp operator.

The top three skills for a clamp operator include pallets, OSHA and clamp truck. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Clamp operator vs forklift operator overview

	Clamp Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,832	$34,213
Hourly rate	$15.78	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	91,015	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Clamp operator vs forklift operator salary

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

	Clamp Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$32,832	$34,213
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Colorado	North Dakota
Best paying company	American Woodmark	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between clamp operator and forklift operator education

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

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

Clamp operator vs forklift operator demographics

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

	Clamp Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
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, 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 clamp operator and forklift 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.

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.

Clamp operator vs forklift operator skills

Common clamp operator skills

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

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

Clamp Operator vs. similar jobs

Clamp Operator related careers

Clamp Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Clamp Operator
Clamp Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs