Forklift-picker vs production forklift operator

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

Forklift-picker vs production forklift operator overview

	Forklift-Picker	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,704	$34,322
Hourly rate	$15.72	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	44,786	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 65%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift-picker vs production forklift operator salary

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

	Forklift-Picker	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$32,704	$34,322
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Sioux Falls, SD	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	Tyson Foods	Darigold
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between forklift-picker and production forklift operator education

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

	Forklift-Picker	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 65%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift-picker vs production forklift operator demographics

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

	Forklift-Picker	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.6% Female, 10.4%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
Race ratio	Black 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, 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-picker and production 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

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-picker vs production 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 production forklift operator skills

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

Forklift-Picker vs. similar jobs

Forklift-Picker related careers

Forklift-Picker related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Forklift-Picker
Forklift-Picker vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs