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The differences between equipment operators and 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 an equipment operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $31,739 average annual salary of an equipment operator.
The top three skills for an equipment operator include CDL, loaders and asphalt. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Equipment Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $31,739 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $15.26 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 62,473 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Equipment operators are employees who are assigned to work on specific company equipment. They are skilled workers trained to handle all aspects of the particular equipment, from basic operating to repairing. They use the equipment and ensure that safety standards are being followed. Aside from managing the equipment, they are also in charge of repairs and maintenance. They are responsible for ensuring that the machine works properly, troubleshooting if there are challenges encountered, and repairing any problems. Equipment operators are reliable, trustworthy, and attentive.
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Equipment operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Equipment Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $31,739 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $40,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Indianapolis, IN | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Nelsen Partners | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an equipment operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Equipment Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between equipment operators' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Equipment Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 0.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% | 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 Percentage | 2% | 4% |