Concrete pump operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between concrete pump operators and machine operator/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a concrete pump operator, becoming a machine operator/forklift operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a concrete pump operator has an average salary of $39,729, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a concrete pump operator include CDL, safety standards and pump truck. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Concrete pump operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Concrete Pump Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$39,729	$32,452
Hourly rate	$19.10	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	36,078	120,073
Job satisfaction	4.67	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	2	4

Concrete pump operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Concrete pump operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Concrete Pump Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$39,729	$32,452
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $58,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Pittsburgh, PA	Renton, WA
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Central Lakes College	TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry	Construction	Automotive

Differences between concrete pump operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a concrete pump operator and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Concrete Pump Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 61%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Concrete pump operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between concrete pump operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

	Concrete Pump Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 97.5% Female, 2.5%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 23.4% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	4%

Differences between concrete pump operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Concrete pump operator example responsibilities.

Set up concrete pump, operate boom, manage all aspects of vehicle safety and pump operations including concrete quality assurance.
Operate various caterpillar excavators, bulldozers, front-end loaders and other relate equipment to perform demolition on houses and infrastructure.
Handle preventive and corrective maintenance to maintain proper equipment safety and functionality.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.

Concrete pump operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common concrete pump operator skills

CDL, 28%
Safety Standards, 19%
Pump Truck, 16%
DOT, 10%
Construction Sites, 5%
Booms, 5%

Common machine operator/forklift operator skills

Safety Standards, 17%
Drive Forklift, 9%
Load Trucks, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
CNC, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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Concrete Pump Operator
Concrete Pump Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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