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What does a clamp operator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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Clamp operator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real clamp operator resumes:

  • 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.

Clamp operator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Clamp Operators are proficient in Pallets, OSHA, and Clamp Truck. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Coordination.

We break down the percentage of Clamp Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Pallets, 24%

    Pick cases and prepare pallet by wrapping and applying shipping labels Move pallets from picking areas to loading dock.

  • OSHA, 8%

    Cleaned and maintained the warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety standards..

  • Clamp Truck, 7%

    Unload and receive rolls of paper from freight cars and trailers with a roll clamp truck.

  • Assembly Line, 7%

    Inventory control/Auditor- Audited orders before it went to assembly lines & cycle counted storage racks operating a cherry-picker at Texas Instruments.

  • Safety Guidelines, 6%

    Frequent lifting of heavy objects, following all safety guidelines Check inventory and coordinate placement of products in the warehouse.

  • RF Scanner, 5%

    Operated RF Scanner moving orders from one area of warehouse to shipping dock ready for shipment.

"pallets," "osha," and "clamp truck" are among the most common skills that clamp operators use at work. You can find even more clamp operator responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. Many clamp operator duties rely on communication skills. "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material," so a clamp operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways clamp operator responsibilities rely on communication skills: "help with machine operation and forklift driving accomplishments trained new employees skills used good communication skills"

Coordination. This is an important skill for clamp operators to perform their duties. For an example of how clamp operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a clamp operator: "warehouse coordination inventory controls feed assembly line".

Mechanical skills. A big part of what clamp operators do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to clamp operator responsibilities because "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical clamp operator tasks: "scored highest record for facility skills used time management, quality check, mechanical knowledge"

Visual ability. Another common skill required for clamp operator responsibilities is "visual ability." This skill comes up in the duties of clamp operators all the time, as "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." An excerpt from a real clamp operator resume shows how this skill is central to what a clamp operator does: "perform visual quality part checks * load job/material per production needs * use of micrometers and calipers * load/unload trucks on dock"

Most common clamp operator skills

The three companies that hire the most clamp operators are:

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Compare different clamp operators

Clamp operator vs. Forklift driver

A forklift operator is responsible for managing and operating industrial trucks and machines to ensure its performance safety and stability. Forklift operators' duties include safely handling of deliveries, securely moving items to storage areas, monitoring inventories and supplies, running diagnostic tests, reporting inspected malfunctions and deficiencies, performing basic troubleshooting, and adhering to safety procedures. It is a requirement that a forklift operator must have excellent time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task for daily operations.

We looked at the average clamp operator salary and compared it with the wages of a forklift driver. Generally speaking, forklift drivers are paid $644 higher than clamp operators per year.Even though clamp operators and forklift drivers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require pallets, clamp truck, and assembly line in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, clamp operator responsibilities require skills like "osha," "roll clamp," "clamp forklift," and "unload trailers." Meanwhile a typical forklift driver has skills in areas such as "electric pallet jack," "safety procedures," "stand-up forklift," and "safety standards." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Forklift drivers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $38,078. In contrast, clamp operators make the biggest average salary, $34,233, in the manufacturing industry.On average, forklift drivers reach similar levels of education than clamp operators. Forklift drivers are 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Clamp operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator

A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.

On average, machine operator/forklift operators earn a $380 lower salary than clamp operators a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both clamp operators and machine operator/forklift operators have skills such as "clamp truck," "assembly line," and "load trucks. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, clamp operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "pallets," "osha," "safety guidelines," and "rf scanner." Meanwhile, a machine operator/forklift operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety standards," "drive forklift," "machine operation," and "cnc." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Machine operator/forklift operators earn a lower average salary than clamp operators. But machine operator/forklift operators earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $36,711. Additionally, clamp operators earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $34,233 annually.In general, machine operator/forklift operators achieve similar levels of education than clamp operators. They're 0.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Clamp operator vs. Forklift operator and receiver

A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.

On average scale, forklift operators and receiver bring in higher salaries than clamp operators. In fact, they earn a $631 higher salary per year.By looking over several clamp operators and forklift operators and receiver resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "pallets," "clamp truck," and "assembly line." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, clamp operators are more likely to have skills like "osha," "safety guidelines," "roll clamp," and "rail cars." But a forklift operator and receiver is more likely to have skills like "shipping receiving," "production lines," "electric pallet jack," and "safety procedures."

Forklift operators and receiver earn the highest salary when working in the automotive industry, where they receive an average salary of $37,086. Comparatively, clamp operators have the highest earning potential in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $34,233.Most forklift operators and receiver achieve a similar degree level compared to clamp operators. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Clamp operator vs. Material handler/forklift operator

Material handler/forklift operators average a higher salary than the annual salary of clamp operators. The difference is about $3,621 per year.While both clamp operators and material handler/forklift operators complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like pallets, clamp truck, and assembly line, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between clamp operators and material handler/forklift operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a clamp operator might have more use for skills like "osha," "roll clamp," "clamp forklift," and "unload trailers." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of material handler/forklift operators require skills like "safety procedures," "electric pallet jack," "forklift operation," and "production lines. "

Material handler/forklift operators enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $37,909. For comparison, clamp operators earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.The average resume of material handler/forklift operators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to clamp operators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of clamp operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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