Fork truck operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between fork truck 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 a fork truck operator and a lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, 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 lift truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trailers.

Fork truck operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Fork Truck Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$32,272	$36,973
Hourly rate	$15.52	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	117,624	103,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Fork truck operator vs lift truck operator salary

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$32,272	$36,973
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Seneca Foods	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between fork truck operator and lift truck operator education

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fork truck operator vs lift truck operator demographics

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
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, 16.6% 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 fork truck operator and lift truck 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.

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.

Fork truck operator vs lift truck 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 lift truck operator skills

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

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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