Fork truck operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between fork truck operators and production 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 a fork truck operator and a production forklift operator. Additionally, a production forklift operator has an average salary of $34,322, 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 production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Fork truck operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Fork Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,272	$34,322
Hourly rate	$15.52	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	117,624	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Fork truck operator vs production forklift operator salary

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$32,272	$34,322
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Seneca Foods	Darigold
Best paying industry	Finance	Manufacturing

Differences between fork truck operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fork truck operator vs production forklift operator demographics

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between fork truck operator and production forklift 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.

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Fork truck operator vs production forklift 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 production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Fork Truck Operator
Fork Truck Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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