Distributor operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between distributor operators and fork truck 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 distributor operator and a fork truck operator. Additionally, a distributor operator has an average salary of $37,262, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a distributor operator include asphalt, CDL and DOT. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Distributor operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Distributor Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$37,262	$32,272
Hourly rate	$17.91	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	44,648	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Distributor operator vs fork truck operator salary

Distributor operators and fork truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Distributor Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$37,262	$32,272
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $44,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Winchester, VA	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Colorado	Alaska
Best paying company	BlackRock	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	Utilities	Finance

Differences between distributor operator and fork truck operator education

There are a few differences between a distributor operator and a fork truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Distributor Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Distributor operator vs fork truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between distributor operators' and fork truck operators' demographics:

	Distributor Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 17.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.7% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between distributor operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Distributor operator example responsibilities.

Unload chemicals from chemicals trucks while wearing proper PPE.
Work around asphalt pavers shoveling operating various equipment to include roller and road broom.
Experience directing high performing logistics teams to plan, process, and deliver accurate and time-critical complex materials orders.
Participate in after hours on-call rotation for customer service emergency leaks, turn on/ turn off, and SCADA system alarms.
Maintain OSHA forklift certification requiring completing monthly/annual testing.
Coordinate storage and distribution of hazardous waste following HAZMAT procedures.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Distributor operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common distributor operator skills

Asphalt, 17%
CDL, 16%
DOT, 8%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%
Pallets, 5%

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Distributor Operator
Distributor Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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