Forklift truck operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and lift 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 lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, which is higher than the $34,558 average annual salary of a forklift truck operator.

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

Forklift truck operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$36,973
Hourly rate	$16.61	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	103,337
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 truck operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$36,973
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Finance

Differences between forklift truck operator and lift truck operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Truck 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 truck operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and lift 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.

Lift truck operator example responsibilities.

Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Forklift truck operator vs lift 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 lift truck operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Load Trailers, 6%
AS400, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Forks, 4%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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