Forklift operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between forklift operators and production 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 operator and a production forklift operator. Additionally, a production forklift operator has an average salary of $34,322, 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 a production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Forklift operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$34,213	$34,322
Hourly rate	$16.45	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	213,020	160,992
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift operator vs production forklift operator salary

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

	Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$34,213	$34,322
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	DeWitt LLP Law Firm	Darigold
Best paying industry	Automotive	Manufacturing

Differences between forklift operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift operator vs production forklift operator demographics

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

	Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift operator and production forklift 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.

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Forklift operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common forklift operator skills

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

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Operator
Forklift Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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