Forklift truck operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and production 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 production forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift truck operator has an average salary of $34,558, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

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

Forklift truck operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$34,322
Hourly rate	$16.61	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs production forklift operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$34,322
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	Darigold
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between forklift truck operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs production forklift operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and production 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.

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Forklift truck operator vs production 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 production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

Forklift Truck Operator related careers

Forklift Truck Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs