Clamp operator vs terminal operator

The differences between clamp operators and terminal 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 terminal operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, 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 terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Clamp operator vs terminal operator overview

	Clamp Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$32,832	$39,948
Hourly rate	$15.78	$19.21
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	91,015	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Clamp operator vs terminal operator salary

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

	Clamp Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$32,832	$39,948
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $39,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Aurora, CO	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Colorado	Hawaii
Best paying company	American Woodmark	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Construction

Differences between clamp operator and terminal operator education

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

	Clamp Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Clamp operator vs terminal operator demographics

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

	Clamp Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
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, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between clamp operator and terminal 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.

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Clamp operator vs terminal operator skills

Common clamp operator skills

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

Common terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Clamp Operator
Clamp Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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