Cooler operator vs forklift operator

The differences between cooler operators and forklift 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 cooler operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a cooler operator has an average salary of $41,007, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a cooler operator include pallets, production floor and GMP. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Cooler operator vs forklift operator overview

	Cooler Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$41,007	$34,213
Hourly rate	$19.71	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,303	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Cooler operator vs forklift operator salary

Cooler operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cooler Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$41,007	$34,213
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $50,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between cooler operator and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a cooler operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Cooler Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cooler operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between cooler operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Cooler Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between cooler operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Cooler operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Maintain soap spraying on tape alignment for lubrication of tape to shingles.
Maintain tape measurement alignment, nail setting, line, headlape and priming for the production fiber glass shingles.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Experience with hand scanners, electric sit down forklifts, electric power pallet jacks, and grinder.
Operate extractors and driers, or direct their operation.

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.

Cooler operator vs forklift operator skills

Common cooler operator skills

Pallets, 60%
Production Floor, 26%
GMP, 14%

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

Cooler Operator vs. similar jobs

Cooler Operator related careers

Cooler Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Cooler Operator
Cooler Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs