Forklift operator vs operator

The differences between forklift operators and 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 operator and an operator. Additionally, an operator has an average salary of $37,928, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a forklift operator include pallets, basic math and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for an operator are safety procedures, CDL, and emergency calls.

Forklift operator vs operator overview

	Forklift Operator	Operator
Yearly salary	$34,213	$37,928
Hourly rate	$16.45	$18.23
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	213,020	159,077
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

What does a forklift operator do?

Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.

What does an operator do?

Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.

Forklift operator vs operator salary

Forklift operators and operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forklift Operator	Operator
Average salary	$34,213	$37,928
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $27,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	North Dakota	North Dakota
Best paying company	DeWitt LLP Law Firm	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Automotive	Technology

Differences between forklift operator and operator education

There are a few differences between a forklift operator and an operator in terms of educational background:

	Forklift Operator	Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift operator vs operator demographics

Here are the differences between forklift operators' and operators' demographics:

	Forklift Operator	Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 16.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift operator and operator duties and responsibilities

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.

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Operator example responsibilities.

Assist in developing the company s short and long term training plans and managing yearly ammunition allocation.
Assist and manage the extrusion process of polyester raw material in pellet or chip form to produce finish rolls of plastic.
Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Job require basic math skills: fractions and decimals.
Ensure safety of all equipment during production in compliance with strict OSHA and safety regulations.

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Forklift operator vs operator skills

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

Common operator skills

Safety Procedures, 15%
CDL, 6%
Emergency Calls, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Quality Checks, 4%
Dozer, 4%

Forklift Operator vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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