Dry end operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between dry end operators and machine operator/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 dry end operator and a machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a dry end operator has an average salary of $37,169, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a dry end operator include safety rules, calipers and pallets. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Dry end operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Dry End Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$37,169	$32,452
Hourly rate	$17.87	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	71,786	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Dry end operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

	Dry End Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$37,169	$32,452
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $45,000	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 dry end operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

	Dry End Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Dry end operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

	Dry End Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	4%	4%

Differences between dry end operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Dry end operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Set up and operate an extrusion machine in accordance with establish procedures and guidelines and customer requirements.
Use CMM, optical comparator, calipers, height gages, etc to check plastic components.

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.

Dry end operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common dry end operator skills

Safety Rules, 19%
Calipers, 15%
Pallets, 11%
Basic Math, 10%
Quality Checks, 5%
Product Quality, 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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Transportation Industry
Dry End Operator
Dry End Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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