Clamp operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between clamp 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 clamp operator and a lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, 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 lift truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trailers.

Clamp operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Clamp Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$32,832	$36,973
Hourly rate	$15.78	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	91,015	103,337
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 truck operator salary

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

	Clamp Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$32,832	$36,973
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	Colorado	Alaska
Best paying company	American Woodmark	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between clamp operator and lift truck operator education

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

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

Clamp operator vs lift truck operator demographics

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

	Clamp Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
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, 16.6% 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 clamp operator and lift 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.

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.

Clamp operator vs lift truck operator skills

Common clamp operator skills

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

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
Clamp Operator
Clamp Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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