Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between front end loader operators and material handler/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 front end loader operator and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $34,530 average annual salary of a front end loader operator.
The top three skills for a front end loader operator include front end loader, loaders and asphalt. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.
| Front End Loader Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,530 | $36,453 |
| Hourly rate | $16.60 | $17.53 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 84,188 | 168,379 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A front-end loader operator is a heavy equipment operator who works in demolitions or road construction sites. To become a front end loader operator, one of the techniques that you must have along with many others, is to be able to operate heavy equipment. This indicates that you must be an experienced heavy equipment driver. You will control rubber-tired, tractor-type industrial vehicles that lift and move heavy materials from one location to another.
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Front end loader operators and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Front End Loader Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,530 | $36,453 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Clifton Park, NY | Lakeville, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Ball | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a front end loader operator and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Front End Loader Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between front end loader operators' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:
| Front End Loader Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |