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The differences between forklift drivers and machine operator/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 machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift driver has an average salary of $33,476, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a forklift driver include pallets, electric pallet jack and safety procedures. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.
| Forklift Driver | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,476 | $32,452 |
| Hourly rate | $16.09 | $15.60 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 116,516 | 120,073 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| 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.
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
Forklift drivers and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift Driver | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,476 | $32,452 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $41,000 | Between $26,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Shakopee, MN | Renton, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BD | TreeHouse Foods |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a forklift driver and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Forklift Driver | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklift drivers' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:
| Forklift Driver | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| 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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |