Forklift truck operator vs cherry picker operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and cherry picker 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 truck operator and a cherry picker operator. Additionally, a forklift truck operator has an average salary of $34,558, which is higher than the $33,956 average annual salary of a cherry picker operator.

The top three skills for a forklift truck operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety rules. The most important skills for a cherry picker operator are cherry-picker, pallets, and rf scanner.

Forklift truck operator vs cherry picker operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$33,956
Hourly rate	$16.61	$16.32
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	105,023
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 62%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs cherry picker operator salary

Forklift truck operators and cherry picker operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forklift Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$33,956
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Eagan, MN
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	Nestlé	United Natural Foods
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between forklift truck operator and cherry picker operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs cherry picker operator demographics

Here are the differences between forklift truck operators' and cherry picker operators' demographics:

	Forklift Truck Operator	Cherry Picker Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 76.5% Female, 23.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 2.4% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and cherry picker operator duties and responsibilities

Forklift truck operator example responsibilities.

Transfer goods to and from different departments, organize and arrange empty pallets, and maintain baler and central vacuuming system.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Cherry picker operator example responsibilities.

Order selector, replenish, loader
Pick parts using scan handgunHelp QC pack parts into box
Order selector fork lift operator shipping and receiving whole sale foods
Collect and deliver pallets of inventory to other stations.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Pick inventory on floor level using a walkie.

Forklift truck operator vs cherry picker operator skills

Common forklift truck operator skills

Pallets, 20%
Pallet Jack, 8%
Safety Rules, 7%
Clamp Truck, 7%
Production Lines, 6%
Load Trucks, 6%

Common cherry picker operator skills

Cherry-Picker, 36%
Pallets, 11%
RF Scanner, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
Cherry Pickers, 6%
Work Ethic, 5%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Cherry Picker Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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