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The differences between forklifts and loader/unloaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forklift has an average salary of $32,015, which is higher than the $31,827 average annual salary of a loader/unloader.
The top three skills for a forklift include pallets, sit-down forklift and basic math. The most important skills for a loader/unloader are inventory control, electric pallet jack, and pallets.
| Forklift | Loader/Unloader | |
| Yearly salary | $32,015 | $31,827 |
| Hourly rate | $15.39 | $15.30 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 113,257 | 67,063 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| Average age | 43 | 40 |
| 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.
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
Forklifts and loader/unloaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average salary | $32,015 | $31,827 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Tacoma, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Steel Dynamics | Bunge |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a forklift and a loader/unloader in terms of educational background:
| Forklift | Loader/Unloader | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklifts' and loader/unloaders' demographics:
| Forklift | Loader/Unloader | |
| Average age | 43 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| 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, 14.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 5.5% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |