Fork operator vs loader operator

The differences between fork operators and loader 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 fork operator and a loader operator. Additionally, a loader operator has an average salary of $36,987, which is higher than the $34,938 average annual salary of a fork operator.

The top three skills for a fork operator include load trucks, pallets and production lines. The most important skills for a loader operator are front end loader, asphalt, and customer service.

Fork operator vs loader operator overview

	Fork Operator	Loader Operator
Yearly salary	$34,938	$36,987
Hourly rate	$16.80	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	54,785	61,980
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Fork operator vs loader operator salary

Fork operators and loader operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fork Operator	Loader Operator
Average salary	$34,938	$36,987
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $41,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Bismarck, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between fork operator and loader operator education

There are a few differences between a fork operator and a loader operator in terms of educational background:

	Fork Operator	Loader Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 52%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fork operator vs loader operator demographics

Here are the differences between fork operators' and loader operators' demographics:

	Fork Operator	Loader Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 3.0% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between fork operator and loader operator duties and responsibilities

Fork operator example responsibilities.

Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Loader operator example responsibilities.

Inventory control; FIFO procedures, HAZMAT certify.
Excavate midstream on load lines for repair backfill and finish
Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
Excavate and prepare trenches for plumbing and utilities to residential homes.
Operate excavator doing residential demolition and dig footings for new structures.
Utilize appropriate level of PPE for the chemical being handle or transfer.

Fork operator vs loader operator skills

Common fork operator skills

Load Trucks, 26%
Pallets, 22%
Production Lines, 15%
RF, 8%
Safety Rules, 8%
Materials Handling, 4%

Common loader operator skills

Front End Loader, 11%
Asphalt, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Loaders, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

Fork Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Fork Operator
Fork Operator vs Loader Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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