Forklift truck operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and fork truck 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 fork truck operator. Additionally, a forklift truck operator has an average salary of $34,558, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a forklift truck operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety rules. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Forklift truck operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$32,272
Hourly rate	$16.61	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs fork truck operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$32,272
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between forklift truck operator and fork truck operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs fork truck operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and fork truck 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.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Forklift truck operator vs fork truck 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 fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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