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The differences between distributor operators and material handler/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 distributor operator and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a distributor operator has an average salary of $37,262, which is higher than the $36,453 average annual salary of a material handler/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a distributor operator include asphalt, CDL and DOT. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.
| Distributor Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $37,262 | $36,453 |
| Hourly rate | $17.91 | $17.53 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 44,648 | 168,379 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 30% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
There are skills that distributor operators should have to be effective in the job. Some of the most common skills to be able to accomplish the responsibilities needed for the position include CDL (Commercial Drivers License), DoT (Damage over Time), and of course, past experience of being a distributor operator. For jobs like this, it would be better to search by industry instead of through keyword. This helps you to see a wider range of jobs related to being a distributor operator.
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Distributor operators and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distributor Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $37,262 | $36,453 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $44,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Winchester, VA | Lakeville, MN |
| Highest paying state | Colorado | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BlackRock | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a distributor operator and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Distributor Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 30% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between distributor operators' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:
| Distributor Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |