Drum operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between drum operators and machine operator/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 $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a drum operator include quality products, quality checks and computer system. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Drum operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Drum Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$37,684	$32,452
Hourly rate	$18.12	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	29,763	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	46	43
Years of experience	-	4

Drum operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

	Drum Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$37,684	$32,452
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $47,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Renton, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between drum operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

	Drum Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Drum operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

	Drum Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	46	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratio	Black 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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	10%	4%

Differences between drum operator and machine operator/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.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.

Drum operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common drum operator skills

Quality Products, 90%
Quality Checks, 6%
Computer System, 4%

Common machine operator/forklift operator skills

Safety Standards, 17%
Drive Forklift, 9%
Load Trucks, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
CNC, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Drum Operator
Drum Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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