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The differences between forklifts and loaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a loader has an average salary of $32,820, which is higher than the $32,015 average annual salary of a forklift.
The top three skills for a forklift include pallets, sit-down forklift and basic math. The most important skills for a loader are customer service, pallets, and loaders.
| Forklift | Loader | |
| Yearly salary | $32,015 | $32,820 |
| Hourly rate | $15.39 | $15.78 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 113,257 | 40,008 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 56% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
The primary job of a forklift operator is to operate and manage forklifts used for moving, locating, relocating, stacking, and counting merchandise in various settings, such as construction sites and warehouses. As a forklift operator, you will unload shipments properly and safely, and stack and store them in their designated areas. In addition, you will need to report any quality variances and assist in physical inventories. Other duties that you may perform include ensuring that stock rotation is done properly, inspecting and performing preventative maintenance of forklift and other equipment, and ensuring that inventory security and control are maintained.
The responsibilities of a loader will vary in an industry or organization. In a warehouse or retail setting, a loader is responsible for loading and unloading packages, ensuring the accuracy of all goods and invoices. Most of the tasks will involve physical work, and there are also instances when one needs to operate machines such as a forklift. Moreover, a loader must also keep records and monitor the inventory at all times and coordinate with supervisors, all in adherence to the company's policies and safety regulations.
Forklifts and loaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift | Loader | |
| Average salary | $32,015 | $32,820 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $27,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Steel Dynamics | Kemps |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a forklift and a loader in terms of educational background:
| Forklift | Loader | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 56% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklifts' and loaders' demographics:
| Forklift | Loader | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 4.4% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 3% |