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The differences between forklifts and material handler/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 and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, 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 material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.
| Forklift | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,015 | $36,453 |
| Hourly rate | $15.39 | $17.53 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 113,257 | 168,379 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 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 material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Forklifts and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,015 | $36,453 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Lakeville, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Steel Dynamics | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a forklift and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Forklift | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklifts' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:
| Forklift | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| 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, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |