Post job

Dock worker/forklift operator vs forklift operator

The differences between dock worker/forklift operators and 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 dock worker/forklift operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a dock worker/forklift operator has an average salary of $42,876, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a dock worker/forklift operator include basic math, math and load trailers. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Dock worker/forklift operator vs forklift operator overview

Dock Worker/Forklift OperatorForklift Operator
Yearly salary$42,876$34,213
Hourly rate$20.61$16.45
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs110,536213,020
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Dock worker/forklift operator vs forklift operator salary

Dock worker/forklift operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dock Worker/Forklift OperatorForklift Operator
Average salary$42,876$34,213
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $47,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityDenver, COMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateHawaiiNorth Dakota
Best paying companyCareer Company in Silicon ValleyDeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industryTransportationAutomotive

Differences between dock worker/forklift operator and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a dock worker/forklift operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

Dock Worker/Forklift OperatorForklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dock worker/forklift operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between dock worker/forklift operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

Dock Worker/Forklift OperatorForklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 94.5% Female, 5.5%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between dock worker/forklift operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Dock worker/forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Move LTL freight from one trailer to other trailers.
  • Load and unload LTL and full truckload freight operating a forklift.
  • Load various HAZMAT and non-HAZMAT material/freight onto company trucks, utilizing forklift/pallet jack.
  • Scan and repair damaged pallets to make the necessary preparations need for a timely delivery.
  • Loaded/Unload freight, sort and distribute to its proper destinations utilizing forklift, clamp trucks, dollies or manually.
  • Unload and load truck trailers by using a variety of work tools such as dollies, forklifts, and pallet jack.
  • Show more

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
  • Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
  • Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
  • Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
  • Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.
  • Show more

Dock worker/forklift operator vs forklift operator skills

Common dock worker/forklift operator skills
  • Basic Math, 43%
  • Math, 11%
  • Load Trailers, 9%
  • Pallets, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Common forklift operator skills
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Load Trucks, 4%

Browse transportation jobs