Forklift truck operator vs terminal operator

The differences between forklift truck operators and terminal 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 terminal operator. Additionally, a terminal operator has an average salary of $39,948, 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 terminal operator are loaders, cranes, and rail cars.

Forklift truck operator vs terminal operator overview

	Forklift Truck Operator	Terminal Operator
Yearly salary	$34,558	$39,948
Hourly rate	$16.61	$19.21
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	92,925	43,328
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 34%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Forklift truck operator vs terminal operator salary

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Terminal Operator
Average salary	$34,558	$39,948
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $32,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Allentown, PA	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Hawaii
Best paying company	Nestlé	Land O'Lakes
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Construction

Differences between forklift truck operator and terminal operator education

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Terminal Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Forklift truck operator vs terminal operator demographics

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

	Forklift Truck Operator	Terminal Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%	Male, 82.5% Female, 17.5%
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, 15.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between forklift truck operator and terminal 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.

Terminal operator example responsibilities.

Manage the efficient use of locomotives and fuel to ensure that freight car cycles are effectively manage while in the terminals.
Operate forklift, loaders, bulldozers, excavators, ship hydraulic cranes.
Pull LTL loads for shipment.
Experience in Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
Operate forklifts and loaders for loading aircraft.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

Forklift truck operator vs terminal 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 terminal operator skills

Loaders, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Rail Cars, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
TWIC, 5%
General Maintenance, 5%

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Forklift Truck Operator
Forklift Truck Operator vs Terminal Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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