Distributor operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between distributor operators and production 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 production forklift operator. Additionally, a distributor operator has an average salary of $37,262, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

The top three skills for a distributor operator include asphalt, CDL and DOT. The most important skills for a production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Distributor operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Distributor Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$37,262	$34,322
Hourly rate	$17.91	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	44,648	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Distributor operator vs production forklift operator salary

Distributor operators and production forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Distributor Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$37,262	$34,322
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $44,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Winchester, VA	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Colorado	Alaska
Best paying company	BlackRock	Darigold
Best paying industry	Utilities	Manufacturing

Differences between distributor operator and production forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a distributor operator and a production forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Distributor Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Distributor operator vs production forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between distributor operators' and production forklift operators' demographics:

	Distributor Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 81.1% Female, 18.9%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between distributor operator and production forklift 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.

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Distributor operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common distributor operator skills

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

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Distributor Operator
Distributor Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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