Forklift truck operator vs reach truck operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and reach 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 reach truck operator. Additionally, a reach truck operator has an average salary of $34,625, 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 reach truck operator are pallets, rf scanner, and basic math.

Forklift truck operator vs reach truck operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$34,625
Hourly rate	$16.61	$16.65
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	137,300
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs reach truck operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$34,625
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $28,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	United Natural Foods
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between forklift truck operator and reach truck operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs reach truck operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Reach Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
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, 16.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.8% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and reach 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.

Reach truck operator example responsibilities.

Receive product in using WMS (warehouse management system )
Put away and picking of parts using RF scanner.
Train other employees to operate CNC beam line python.
Reach truck operator/picking order from WMS system and put away.
License to use a man-up, forklift, and scissor lift.
Clean and maintain the warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety standards ..

Forklift truck operator vs reach 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 reach truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
RF Scanner, 7%
Basic Math, 7%
SIT, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Warehouse Environment, 4%

Forklift Truck Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Reach Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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