Forklift truck operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and machine operator/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 machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift truck operator has an average salary of $34,558, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a forklift truck operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety rules. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Forklift truck operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$32,452
Hourly rate	$16.61	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$32,452
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Renton, WA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between forklift truck operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
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, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and machine operator/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.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.

Forklift truck operator vs machine operator/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 machine operator/forklift operator skills

Safety Standards, 17%
Drive Forklift, 9%
Load Trucks, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
CNC, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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