Clamp operator vs lift operator

The differences between clamp operators and lift 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 lift operator. Additionally, a clamp operator has an average salary of $32,832, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.

The top three skills for a clamp operator include pallets, OSHA and clamp truck. The most important skills for a lift operator are pallets, fork-lift, and electric pallet jack.

Clamp operator vs lift operator overview

	Clamp Operator	Lift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,832	$32,309
Hourly rate	$15.78	$15.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	91,015	72,445
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Clamp operator vs lift operator salary

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

	Clamp Operator	Lift Operator
Average salary	$32,832	$32,309
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	Colorado	Alaska
Best paying company	American Woodmark	BD
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between clamp operator and lift operator education

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

	Clamp Operator	Lift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Clamp operator vs lift operator demographics

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

	Clamp Operator	Lift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
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, 15.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between clamp operator and lift 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.

Lift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Use AS400 to take yarn out of inventory.
Load and unload ship cargo using wenches or other hoisting devices.
Check forklift for problems such as fluid levels, tires and forks.
Load and unload trucks with as sit down with slip sheet and double forks attachment practicing a safe environment.
Record inventory and reroute misplaced pallets at rack locations to the correct location

Clamp operator vs lift operator skills

Common clamp operator skills

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

Common lift operator skills

Pallets, 17%
Fork-Lift, 14%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Safety Rules, 9%
Power Saws, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Clamp Operator
Clamp Operator vs Lift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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