Cutter operator vs terminal operator

The differences between cutter 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 cutter operator and a terminal operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, which is higher than the $33,960 average annual salary of a cutter operator.

The top three skills for a cutter operator include quality checks, pallets and math. The most important skills for a terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Cutter operator vs terminal operator overview

	Cutter Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$33,960	$39,948
Hourly rate	$16.33	$19.21
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	65,046	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Cutter operator vs terminal operator salary

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

	Cutter Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$33,960	$39,948
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $41,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	Schreiber Foods	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	Automotive	Construction

Differences between cutter operator and terminal operator education

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

	Cutter Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Cutter operator vs terminal operator demographics

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

	Cutter Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 2.9% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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 cutter operator and terminal operator duties and responsibilities

Cutter operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Assist with other bindery operations in the department which include cutting, padding, collating, drilling and hole punching.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Inspect product for defects house keeping, AIB, preventive maintenance.

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).

Cutter operator vs terminal operator skills

Common cutter operator skills

Quality Checks, 12%
Pallets, 11%
Math, 10%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Quality Standards, 7%
Pallet Jack, 7%

Common terminal operator skills

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

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Transportation Industry
Cutter Operator
Cutter Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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