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The differences between forklift drivers and 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 forklift driver and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $33,476 average annual salary of a forklift driver.
The top three skills for a forklift driver include pallets, electric pallet jack and safety procedures. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Forklift Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,476 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $16.09 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 116,516 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A forklift operator is responsible for managing and operating industrial trucks and machines to ensure its performance safety and stability. Forklift operators' duties include safely handling of deliveries, securely moving items to storage areas, monitoring inventories and supplies, running diagnostic tests, reporting inspected malfunctions and deficiencies, performing basic troubleshooting, and adhering to safety procedures. It is a requirement that a forklift operator must have excellent time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task for daily operations.
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Forklift drivers and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,476 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $41,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Shakopee, MN | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BD | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a forklift driver and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Forklift Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklift drivers' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Forklift Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |