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The differences between forklift technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a forklift technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a forklift technician has an average salary of $43,589, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a forklift technician include troubleshoot, preventative maintenance and safety procedures. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Forklift Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $43,589 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $20.96 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 179,388 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Primarily, a forklift technician services and monitors forklifts and any other heavy industrial vehicles. Forklift technicians maintain tools, communicate with the salespeople, handle inventory, and utilize computer-based diagnostics on any equipment. Typically, they work in repair shops doing repair and troubleshooting tasks. They repair, rewire, and troubleshoot the electrical, electronic, and mechanical problems of vehicles. Among their other duties and responsibilities are shop analysis, equipment modification, diagnostics, electronic system troubleshooting.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Forklift technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forklift Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $43,589 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $60,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a forklift technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Forklift Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between forklift technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Forklift Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 1% | 2% |