Dry end operator vs terminal operator

The differences between dry end operators and terminal 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 terminal operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, which is higher than the $37,169 average annual salary of a dry end operator.

The top three skills for a dry end operator include safety rules, calipers and pallets. The most important skills for a terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Dry end operator vs terminal operator overview

	Dry End Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$37,169	$39,948
Hourly rate	$17.87	$19.21
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	71,786	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Dry end operator vs terminal operator salary

Dry end operators and terminal operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dry End Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$37,169	$39,948
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $45,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	-	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between dry end operator and terminal operator education

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

	Dry End Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Dry end operator vs terminal operator demographics

Here are the differences between dry end operators' and terminal operators' demographics:

	Dry End Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
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, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between dry end operator and terminal 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.

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Dry end operator vs terminal operator skills

Common dry end operator skills

Safety Rules, 19%
Calipers, 15%
Pallets, 11%
Basic Math, 10%
Quality Checks, 5%
Product Quality, 4%

Common terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

Dry End Operator vs. similar jobs

Dry End Operator related careers

Dry End Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Dry End Operator
Dry End Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs