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Dock worker vs cherry picker operator

The differences between dock workers and cherry picker operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dock worker has an average salary of $36,027, which is higher than the $33,956 average annual salary of a cherry picker operator.

The top three skills for a dock worker include safety rules, tractor trailer and LTL. The most important skills for a cherry picker operator are cherry-picker, pallets, and rf scanner.

Dock worker vs cherry picker operator overview

Dock WorkerCherry Picker Operator
Yearly salary$36,027$33,956
Hourly rate$17.32$16.32
Growth rate6%7%
Number of jobs119,104105,023
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 62%
Average age4043
Years of experience-4

What does a dock worker do?

People working in the docks are collectively called dock workers. Their primary job is to load and unload ships. They are also named material movers and hand laborers who manually move stocks, freight, or other materials. While formal educational attainment is not a prerequisite to becoming a dock worker, several skills are required. Dockworkers should have the best physical strength, endurance, and agility. Having good hearing and eyesight is also essential in their job.

What does a cherry picker operator do?

Cherry pickers perform a safe and efficient operation of motorized lift vehicles in pulling customer order-based products. The cherry pickers manage different warehouse operating systems and associates to support processing and internal order logistics. They perform preventive maintenance on pallet packs, machines, cherry pickers, and forklifts. It is part of their job to count, verify, and check documents for completeness and accuracy. The skills to develop for this job include warehouse environment, clamp, and pallet jack operations.

Dock worker vs cherry picker operator salary

Dock workers and cherry picker operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dock WorkerCherry Picker Operator
Average salary$36,027$33,956
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $43,000Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityCoon Rapids, MNEagan, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyDairy Farmers of AmericaUnited Natural Foods
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between dock worker and cherry picker operator education

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

Dock WorkerCherry Picker Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 54%High School Diploma, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Dock worker vs cherry picker operator demographics

Here are the differences between dock workers' and cherry picker operators' demographics:

Dock WorkerCherry Picker Operator
Average age4043
Gender ratioMale, 92.9% Female, 7.1%Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 2.4% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage5%4%

Differences between dock worker and cherry picker operator duties and responsibilities

Dock worker example responsibilities.

  • Operate yard truck to manage dock needs, maintain safety and cleanliness of dock as well as yard.
  • Work with AS400 WMS to coordinate the movement of freight in and out of the terminal.
  • Use of the AS400 to process outbound shipments, including but not limit to data entry, and BOL imaging.
  • Print BOL for daily deliveries.
  • Use RF scanning system to select orders.
  • Process and palletize all damage, penny, and RTV merchandise.
  • Show more

Cherry picker operator example responsibilities.

  • Order selector, replenish, loader
  • Pick parts using scan handgunHelp QC pack parts into box
  • Order selector fork lift operator shipping and receiving whole sale foods
  • Collect and deliver pallets of inventory to other stations.
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
  • Pick inventory on floor level using a walkie.
  • Show more

Dock worker vs cherry picker operator skills

Common dock worker skills
  • Safety Rules, 12%
  • Tractor Trailer, 8%
  • LTL, 8%
  • Unload Trailers, 6%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Dock Equipment, 5%
Common cherry picker operator skills
  • Cherry-Picker, 36%
  • Pallets, 11%
  • RF Scanner, 10%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • Cherry Pickers, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 5%

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