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Forklift vs picker and packer

The differences between forklifts and picker and packers 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 $30,841 average annual salary of a picker and packer.

The top three skills for a forklift include pallets, sit-down forklift and basic math. The most important skills for a picker and packer are pallets, defective products, and customer orders.

Forklift vs picker and packer overview

ForkliftPicker And Packer
Yearly salary$32,015$30,841
Hourly rate$15.39$14.83
Growth rate7%6%
Number of jobs113,25767,478
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 58%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4340
Years of experience4-

What does a forklift do?

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.

What does a picker and packer do?

Pickers and packers are warehouse employees, usually in the retail or manufacturing industry. They are primarily responsible for fulfilling orders for delivery. They get the customers' order forms, ensure that the items are in stock, take the items from their storage areas, assemble the order, ensure that the order is accurate and complete, and pack them securely before handing the package over for release to the delivery workers. Pickers and packers are also responsible for updating company inventory. They may also be assigned to check whether the records are updated regularly and to ensure that items are stored properly.

Forklift vs picker and packer salary

Forklifts and picker and packers have different pay scales, as shown below.

ForkliftPicker And Packer
Average salary$32,015$30,841
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityGrand Forks, NDVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companySteel DynamicsPepsiCo
Best paying industryTransportationTechnology

Differences between forklift and picker and packer education

There are a few differences between a forklift and a picker and packer in terms of educational background:

ForkliftPicker And Packer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 58%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Forklift vs picker and packer demographics

Here are the differences between forklifts' and picker and packers' demographics:

ForkliftPicker And Packer
Average age4340
Gender ratioMale, 92.0% Female, 8.0%Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.0% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%7%

Differences between forklift and picker and packer duties and responsibilities

Forklift example responsibilities.

  • Provide a safe work environment following all company policy and OSHA safety procedures.
  • Clean and maintain the warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety has their period operate forklifts and other heavy machinery safely.
  • Prepare pallets by following procedures for stacking arrangement and properly tagging pallets.
  • Operate forklifts, lift beams, swivel-hooks and hoists.
  • Run and monitor extrusion processes of polymer products, using dip pan hoppers, x-hoppers and delivery processes.
  • Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Picker and packer example responsibilities.

  • Pick groceries, put items on pallets, clean warehouse
  • reach truck, stand up, dock truck, and clamp truck.
  • Print correct and accurate UPC labels.
  • complete usps and ups orders and do labels
  • Pull orders and run forklift pack on skids and wrapped
  • Scan UPC barcode and then forward packages to shipping.
  • Show more

Forklift vs picker and packer skills

Common forklift skills
  • Pallets, 21%
  • Sit-Down Forklift, 10%
  • Basic Math, 7%
  • Shipping Receiving, 5%
  • RF Scanner, 4%
  • Warehouse Environment, 4%
Common picker and packer skills
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Defective Products, 16%
  • Customer Orders, 16%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
  • Warehouse Environment, 7%
  • Safety Rules, 6%

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