Cooler operator vs terminal operator

The differences between cooler operators and terminal 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 terminal operator. Additionally, a cooler operator has an average salary of $41,007, which is higher than the $39,948 average annual salary of a terminal operator.

The top three skills for a cooler operator include pallets, production floor and GMP. The most important skills for a terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Cooler operator vs terminal operator overview

	Cooler Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$41,007	$39,948
Hourly rate	$19.71	$19.21
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,303	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Cooler operator vs terminal operator salary

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

	Cooler Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$41,007	$39,948
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $50,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between cooler operator and terminal operator education

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

	Cooler Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cooler operator vs terminal operator demographics

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

	Cooler Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.0% Female, 12.0%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
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, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between cooler operator and terminal 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.

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Cooler operator vs terminal operator skills

Common cooler operator skills

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

Common terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

Cooler Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Cooler Operator
Cooler Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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