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Forklift-picker vs forklift operator

The differences between forklift-pickers and 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-picker and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $32,704 average annual salary of a forklift-picker.

The top three skills for a forklift-picker include pallets, pallet jack and rf scanner. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Forklift-picker vs forklift operator overview

Forklift-PickerForklift Operator
Yearly salary$32,704$34,213
Hourly rate$15.72$16.45
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs44,786213,020
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Forklift-picker vs forklift operator salary

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

Forklift-PickerForklift Operator
Average salary$32,704$34,213
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CitySioux Falls, SDMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaNorth Dakota
Best paying companyTyson FoodsDeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industryTechnologyAutomotive

Differences between forklift-picker and forklift operator education

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

Forklift-PickerForklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Forklift-picker vs forklift operator demographics

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

Forklift-PickerForklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 89.6% Female, 10.4%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between forklift-picker and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Forklift-picker example responsibilities.

  • Operate forklift to organize and wrap complete pallets, also operate other machinery that handle completed pallets to load company trucks.
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
  • Shrink wrap pallet and then set pallet by the correct load door to be check for accuracy.
  • Certify cherry picker operator / pull orders and putaway

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.
  • Show more

Forklift-picker vs forklift operator skills

Common forklift-picker skills
  • Pallets, 22%
  • Pallet Jack, 17%
  • RF Scanner, 10%
  • Load Trucks, 8%
  • Shipping Receiving, 7%
  • Reach Truck, 6%
Common forklift operator skills
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Load Trucks, 4%

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