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Conveyor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between conveyor operators and machine operator/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator/forklift operator has an average salary of $32,452, which is higher than the $32,316 average annual salary of a conveyor operator.

The top three skills for a conveyor operator include OSHA, conveyance and safety standards. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Conveyor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

Conveyor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$32,316$32,452
Hourly rate$15.54$15.60
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs47,566120,073
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age4143
Years of experience-4

Conveyor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

Conveyor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary$32,316$32,452
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $37,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City-Renton, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between conveyor operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

Conveyor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 52%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Conveyor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

Conveyor OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age4143
Gender ratioMale, 87.1% Female, 12.9%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.8% White, 73.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between conveyor operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Conveyor operator example responsibilities.

  • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
  • Put away merchandise using forklifts while utilizing WMS for location verification.

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.
  • Show more

Conveyor operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common conveyor operator skills
  • OSHA, 21%
  • Conveyance, 17%
  • Safety Standards, 15%
  • Quality Checks, 12%
  • Assembly Line, 8%
  • Measure Materials, 3%
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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