Electric fork operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between electric fork operators and lift truck operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an electric fork operator and a lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, which is higher than the $32,251 average annual salary of an electric fork operator.

The top three skills for an electric fork operator include unload materials, and . The most important skills for a lift truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trailers.

Electric fork operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Electric Fork Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$32,251	$36,973
Hourly rate	$15.51	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	41,349	103,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Electric fork operator vs lift truck operator salary

Electric fork operators and lift truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Electric Fork Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$32,251	$36,973
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $37,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Nestlé
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between electric fork operator and lift truck operator education

There are a few differences between an electric fork operator and a lift truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Electric Fork Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Supply Chain Management	Business
Most common college	-	-

Electric fork operator vs lift truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between electric fork operators' and lift truck operators' demographics:

	Electric Fork Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 20.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.8% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between electric fork operator and lift truck operator duties and responsibilities

Electric fork operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Lift truck operator example responsibilities.

Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Electric fork operator vs lift truck operator skills

Common electric fork operator skills

Unload Materials, 100%

Common lift truck operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Load Trailers, 6%
AS400, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Forks, 4%

Electric Fork Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Electric Fork Operator
Electric Fork Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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