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Drum operator vs forklift operator

The differences between drum operators and forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a drum operator has an average salary of $37,684, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a drum operator include quality products, quality checks and computer system. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Drum operator vs forklift operator overview

Drum OperatorForklift Operator
Yearly salary$37,684$34,213
Hourly rate$18.12$16.45
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs29,763213,020
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4643
Years of experience-4

Drum operator vs forklift operator salary

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

Drum OperatorForklift Operator
Average salary$37,684$34,213
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $47,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between drum operator and forklift operator education

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

Drum OperatorForklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Drum operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between drum operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

Drum OperatorForklift Operator
Average age4643
Gender ratioMale, 95.1% Female, 4.9%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%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 Percentage10%4%

Differences between drum operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Drum operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Maintain a clean and safe work environment by way of proper PPE's and prompt clean up of any chemical spills.
  • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
  • Operate rotory feed dryer to convert wetcake and corn syrup to animal feed.
  • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

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

Drum operator vs forklift operator skills

Common drum operator skills
  • Quality Products, 90%
  • Quality Checks, 6%
  • Computer System, 4%
Common forklift operator skills
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Load Trucks, 4%

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