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The differences between dock worker/forklift operators and driver/material handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a dock worker/forklift operator and a driver/material handler. Additionally, a dock worker/forklift operator has an average salary of $42,876, which is higher than the $36,219 average annual salary of a driver/material handler.
The top three skills for a dock worker/forklift operator include basic math, math and load trailers. The most important skills for a driver/material handler are CDL, customer orders, and inventory control.
| Dock Worker/Forklift Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Yearly salary | $42,876 | $36,219 |
| Hourly rate | $20.61 | $17.41 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 110,536 | 198,718 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Dock worker/forklift operators and driver/material handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dock Worker/Forklift Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Average salary | $42,876 | $36,219 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $47,000 | Between $28,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Santa Clara, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Career Company in Silicon Valley | Merck |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a dock worker/forklift operator and a driver/material handler in terms of educational background:
| Dock Worker/Forklift Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dock worker/forklift operators' and driver/material handlers' demographics:
| Dock Worker/Forklift Operator | Driver/Material Handler | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.5% Female, 5.5% | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 2.6% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |