Post job

Dock worker/forklift operator vs material handler/forklift operator

The differences between dock worker/forklift 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 dock worker/forklift operator and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a dock worker/forklift operator has an average salary of $42,876, which is higher than the $36,453 average annual salary of a material handler/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 material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.

Dock worker/forklift operator vs material handler/forklift operator overview

Dock Worker/Forklift OperatorMaterial Handler/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$42,876$36,453
Hourly rate$20.61$17.53
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs110,536168,379
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 56%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Dock worker/forklift operator vs material handler/forklift operator salary

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

Dock Worker/Forklift OperatorMaterial Handler/Forklift Operator
Average salary$42,876$36,453
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $47,000Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityDenver, COLakeville, MN
Highest paying stateHawaiiNorth Dakota
Best paying companyCareer Company in Silicon ValleyNestlé
Best paying industryTransportationAutomotive

Differences between dock worker/forklift operator and material handler/forklift operator education

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

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

Dock worker/forklift operator vs material handler/forklift operator demographics

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

Dock Worker/Forklift OperatorMaterial Handler/Forklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 94.5% Female, 5.5%Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
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, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between dock worker/forklift operator and material handler/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

Material handler/forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Train in all aspects of warehousing, shipping, receiving using WMS.
  • Receive parts from the manufacturers and scan parts into the inventory using warehouse management system (WMS).
  • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
  • Determine require pallet count to meet the statistical receiving requirements.
  • Operate tools (hand truck, fork lift, dollies, hand jack), distribute materials to their designate departments.
  • Show more

Dock worker/forklift operator vs material handler/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 material handler/forklift operator skills
  • Pallets, 19%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
  • Forklift Operation, 7%
  • RF Scanner, 6%
  • Assembly Line, 4%

Browse transportation jobs