Fork truck operator vs reach truck operator

The differences between fork truck operators and reach 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 reach truck operator. Additionally, a reach truck operator has an average salary of $34,625, 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 reach truck operator are pallets, rf scanner, and basic math.

Fork truck operator vs reach truck operator overview

	Fork Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$32,272	$34,625
Hourly rate	$15.52	$16.65
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	117,624	137,300
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Fork truck operator vs reach truck operator salary

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Average salary	$32,272	$34,625
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $28,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Seneca Foods	United Natural Foods
Best paying industry	Finance	Manufacturing

Differences between fork truck operator and reach truck operator education

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Fork truck operator vs reach truck operator demographics

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

	Fork Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%	Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
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, 16.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.8% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between fork truck operator and reach 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.

Reach truck operator example responsibilities.

Receive product in using WMS (warehouse management system )
Put away and picking of parts using RF scanner.
Train other employees to operate CNC beam line python.
Reach truck operator/picking order from WMS system and put away.
License to use a man-up, forklift, and scissor lift.
Clean and maintain the warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety standards ..

Fork truck operator vs reach 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 reach truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
RF Scanner, 7%
Basic Math, 7%
SIT, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Warehouse Environment, 4%

Fork Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Fork Truck Operator
Fork Truck Operator vs Reach Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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