Fork truck operator vs machine operator

The differences between fork truck operators and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator has an average salary of $32,874, 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 machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Fork truck operator vs machine operator overview

	Fork Truck Operator	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$32,272	$32,874
Hourly rate	$15.52	$15.80
Growth rate	7%	-6%
Number of jobs	117,624	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	4	-

Fork truck operator vs machine operator salary

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Machine Operator
Average salary	$32,272	$32,874
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Alaska	Minnesota
Best paying company	Seneca Foods	BD
Best paying industry	Finance	Automotive

Differences between fork truck operator and machine operator education

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

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

Fork truck operator vs machine operator demographics

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Machine Operator
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	4%	5%

Differences between fork truck operator and machine 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.

Machine operator example responsibilities.

Conduct preventative maintenance checks on industrial brake manufacturing machines and forklifts.
Follow company and safety procedures using industrial chemicals and PPE to efficiently clean and sanitize all equipment.
Operate forklift and bobcat as needed.
Run a line in a PVC pipe production plant.
Operate machinery including forklift, bobcat and various power tools.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Fork truck operator vs machine 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 machine operator skills

Basic Math, 11%
CNC, 9%
Math, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

Fork Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Fork Truck Operator
Fork Truck Operator vs Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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