Fork truck operator vs cherry picker operator

The differences between fork truck operators and cherry picker 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 truck operator and a cherry picker operator. Additionally, a cherry picker operator has an average salary of $33,956, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a fork truck operator include pallets, safety procedures and load trucks. The most important skills for a cherry picker operator are cherry-picker, pallets, and rf scanner.

Fork truck operator vs cherry picker operator overview

	Fork Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Yearly salary	$32,272	$33,956
Hourly rate	$15.52	$16.32
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	117,624	105,023
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 62%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Fork truck operator vs cherry picker operator salary

Fork truck operators and cherry picker operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fork Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Average salary	$32,272	$33,956
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Eagan, MN
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	Seneca Foods	United Natural Foods
Best paying industry	Finance	Automotive

Differences between fork truck operator and cherry picker operator education

There are a few differences between a fork truck operator and a cherry picker operator in terms of educational background:

	Fork Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fork truck operator vs cherry picker operator demographics

Here are the differences between fork truck operators' and cherry picker operators' demographics:

	Fork Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%	Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 2.4% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between fork truck operator and cherry picker operator duties and responsibilities

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
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.

Cherry picker operator example responsibilities.

Order selector, replenish, loader
Pick parts using scan handgunHelp QC pack parts into box
Order selector fork lift operator shipping and receiving whole sale foods
Collect and deliver pallets of inventory to other stations.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Pick inventory on floor level using a walkie.

Fork truck operator vs cherry picker operator skills

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

Common cherry picker operator skills

Cherry-Picker, 36%
Pallets, 11%
RF Scanner, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
Cherry Pickers, 6%
Work Ethic, 5%

Fork Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Fork Truck Operator
Fork Truck Operator vs Cherry Picker Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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