Forklift truck operator vs forklift operator

The differences between forklift truck operators 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 truck operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift truck operator has an average salary of $34,558, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a forklift truck operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety rules. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Forklift truck operator vs forklift operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$34,213
Hourly rate	$16.61	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs forklift operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$34,213
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Alaska	North Dakota
Best paying company	Nestlé	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between forklift truck operator and forklift operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs forklift operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
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, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and forklift 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.

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.

Forklift truck operator vs forklift 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 forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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