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The differences between forklifts and reach truck 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 reach truck operator. Additionally, a reach truck operator has an average salary of $34,625, 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 reach truck operator are pallets, rf scanner, and basic math.
| Forklift | Reach Truck Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,015 | $34,625 |
| Hourly rate | $15.39 | $16.65 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 113,257 | 137,300 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| 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.
Ramp supervisors oversee safety procedures, ramp equipment, and company policies. They will be tasked with oversight of airport ramp operations, directing the loading and unloading of aircraft cargo and baggage, assurance of proper ramp functions, and compliance with the airport and the government's regulations. Ramp supervisors will also train and manage other staff members.
Forklifts and reach truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift | Reach Truck Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,015 | $34,625 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Grand Forks, ND | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Steel Dynamics | United Natural Foods |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a forklift and a reach truck operator in terms of educational background:
| Forklift | Reach Truck Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 58% | High School Diploma, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklifts' and reach truck operators' demographics:
| Forklift | Reach Truck Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% |
| 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, 16.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.8% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |