Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between forklifts and pallet jack 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 pallet jack operator. Additionally, a pallet jack operator has an average salary of $34,098, 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 pallet jack operator are pallets, electric pallet jack, and safety regulations.
| Forklift | Pallet Jack Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,015 | $34,098 |
| Hourly rate | $15.39 | $16.39 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 113,257 | 136,563 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 63% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Forklifts and pallet jack operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift | Pallet Jack Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,015 | $34,098 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Denver, CO |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Steel Dynamics | Cargill |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a forklift and a pallet jack operator in terms of educational background:
| Forklift | Pallet Jack Operator | |
| 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 pallet jack operators' demographics:
| Forklift | Pallet Jack Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% |
| 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, 17.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 2.7% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |