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.
Forklift operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real forklift operator resumes:
- 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.
- Stack, tie and label unuse carton; troubleshoot minor production line issues; perform relief duties.
- Operate stand up rear steer forklift to take down and put away pallets with grocery products using RF computer.
- Load and unload supplies, and moves heavy furniture and equipment using dollies, handcarts, or power equipment.
- Pick product using forks, clamps and pull pack attachments, work in the battery room, load and unload truck.
- Position materials on CNC machines and monitor for any problems and adjust CNC machines as necessary to correct any problems detect.
- Lead fork-lift operator and facility maintenance.
- Transport finished pallets to designate area via forklift.
- Verse and adhere to safety regulations govern by OSHA requirements.
- Put away merchandise using forklifts while utilizing WMS for location verification.
Forklift operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Forklift Operators are proficient in Pallets, Basic Math, and Electric Pallet Jack. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Coordination.
We break down the percentage of Forklift Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 18%
Operated forklift on a daily basis Loaded and unloaded pallets and truck Inventory control Delivered materials
- Basic Math, 6%
Apply basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Machine operator Electric pallet jack operator All warehousing duties Blue print reading Chemicals Mixer Quantity Control Production Manufacturing Assembly
- OSHA, 5%
Maintained accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
- Safety Procedures, 5%
Can properly operate and function all factory equipment/stations in accordance with general proper factory policy, operations and safety procedures.
- Load Trucks, 4%
Load and Unload trucks and put the product away, Pick bulk orders using a reach truck or sit down forklift.
"pallets," "basic math," and "electric pallet jack" are among the most common skills that forklift operators use at work. You can find even more forklift operator responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform forklift operator duties is communication skills. Forklift operators responsibilities require that "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Forklift operators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "put stock away in to inventory performed cycle counts on a daily basis maintains proactive communication/relationship with peers/superiors. "
Coordination. This is an important skill for forklift operators to perform their duties. For an example of how forklift operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a forklift operator: "maintained good communication with supervisors, managers, and co-workers for proper safety procedures and coordination of various shipments. ".
Mechanical skills. forklift operator responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." This resume example shows what forklift operators do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "move inventory to various locations manually and by operating mechanical equipment, including fork lift, pallet jack, and handcart. "
Visual ability. Another crucial skill for a forklift operator to carry out their responsibilities is "visual ability." A big part of what forklift operators relies on this skill, since "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." How this skill relates to forklift operator duties can be seen in an example from a forklift operator resume snippet: "operated tier-lift truck and used hand truck to move shipments as well as visually, manually and electronically monitoring inbound freight. "
The three companies that hire the most forklift operators are:
- Randstad North America, Inc.406 forklift operators jobs
- XPO Logistics
359 forklift operators jobs
- Chewy329 forklift operators jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable forklift operator resume templates
Build a professional forklift operator resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your forklift operator resume.
Compare different forklift operators
Forklift operator vs. Warehouse machine operator
Warehouse machine operators perform various tasks for their employers. These include setting up, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting machinery, inspecting parts for specifications and any potential damage, and reading and interpreting diagrams and blueprints to position and secure the machines. They are expected to communicate with other team members and provide support for continuous production. Most employers are looking to hire someone with knowledge of production and safety procedures, previous experience as a machine operator, and analytical skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between forklift operators and warehouse machine operator. For instance, forklift operator responsibilities require skills such as "pallets," "osha," "orderly fashion," and "stand-up forklift." Whereas a warehouse machine operator is skilled in "shipping receiving," "warehouse operations," "machine operation," and "warehouse equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Warehouse machine operators tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,642. In contrast, forklift operators make the biggest average salary, $37,519, in the automotive industry.warehouse machine operators tend to reach similar levels of education than forklift operators. In fact, warehouse machine operators are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Forklift operator vs. Pallet jack operator
A handle machine operator is responsible for operating production machines, conducting preventive maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance to prevent delays in orders or project deliverables. Handle machine operators analyze schematics and blueprints, inspect components for inconsistencies, replace defective parts, and upgrade systems as needed for higher operational efficiency. They also create resolution records for reference and manage maintenance standards to prevent downtimes. A handle machine operator must have excellent mechanical skills, especially on identifying machine problems and following specifications.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that forklift operator responsibilities requires skills like "osha," "forklift training," "forklift operation," and "orderly fashion." But a pallet jack operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "warehouse environment," "selector," "production floor," and "order sheets."
Pallet jack operators may earn a lower salary than forklift operators, but pallet jack operators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $36,680. On the other hand, forklift operators receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,519.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Pallet jack operators tend to reach similar levels of education than forklift operators. In fact, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Forklift operator vs. Handle machine operator
Cherry pickers perform a safe and efficient operation of motorized lift vehicles in pulling customer order-based products. The cherry pickers manage different warehouse operating systems and associates to support processing and internal order logistics. They perform preventive maintenance on pallet packs, machines, cherry pickers, and forklifts. It is part of their job to count, verify, and check documents for completeness and accuracy. The skills to develop for this job include warehouse environment, clamp, and pallet jack operations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, forklift operators are more likely to have skills like "pallets," "basic math," "osha," and "sit-down forklift." But a handle machine operator is more likely to have skills like "forklifts," "cranes," "cnc," and "machine operation."
Handle machine operators make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $34,314. On the other hand, forklift operators are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $37,519.handle machine operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to forklift operators. Specifically, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Forklift operator vs. Cherry picker operator
Types of forklift operator
Updated January 8, 2025
