Cooler operator vs loader operator

The differences between cooler operators and loader 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 loader operator. Additionally, a cooler operator has an average salary of $41,007, which is higher than the $36,987 average annual salary of a loader operator.

The top three skills for a cooler operator include pallets, production floor and GMP. The most important skills for a loader operator are front end loader, asphalt, and customer service.

Cooler operator vs loader operator overview

	Cooler Operator	Loader Operator
Yearly salary	$41,007	$36,987
Hourly rate	$19.71	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,303	61,980
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Cooler operator vs loader operator salary

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

	Cooler Operator	Loader Operator
Average salary	$41,007	$36,987
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $50,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Bismarck, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between cooler operator and loader operator education

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

	Cooler Operator	Loader Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cooler operator vs loader operator demographics

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

	Cooler Operator	Loader Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0%	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
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, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between cooler operator and loader 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.

Loader operator example responsibilities.

Inventory control; FIFO procedures, HAZMAT certify.
Excavate midstream on load lines for repair backfill and finish
Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
Excavate and prepare trenches for plumbing and utilities to residential homes.
Operate excavator doing residential demolition and dig footings for new structures.
Utilize appropriate level of PPE for the chemical being handle or transfer.

Cooler operator vs loader operator skills

Common cooler operator skills

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

Common loader operator skills

Front End Loader, 11%
Asphalt, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Loaders, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Cooler Operator
Cooler Operator vs Loader Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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