Forklift truck operator vs lift operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and lift 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 lift operator. Additionally, a forklift truck operator has an average salary of $34,558, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.

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

Forklift truck operator vs lift operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$32,309
Hourly rate	$16.61	$15.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	72,445
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs lift operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$32,309
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	BD
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between forklift truck operator and lift operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs lift operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
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, 15.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and lift 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.

Lift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Use AS400 to take yarn out of inventory.
Load and unload ship cargo using wenches or other hoisting devices.
Check forklift for problems such as fluid levels, tires and forks.
Load and unload trucks with as sit down with slip sheet and double forks attachment practicing a safe environment.
Record inventory and reroute misplaced pallets at rack locations to the correct location

Forklift truck operator vs lift 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 lift operator skills

Pallets, 17%
Fork-Lift, 14%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Safety Rules, 9%
Power Saws, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Lift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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