Grain elevator operator vs forklift operator

The differences between grain elevator operators and forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a grain elevator operator has an average salary of $38,730, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a grain elevator operator include harvest, ladders and grain elevator. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Grain elevator operator vs forklift operator overview

	Grain Elevator Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$38,730	$34,213
Hourly rate	$18.62	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	36,730	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	-	4

Grain elevator operator vs forklift operator salary

Grain elevator operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Grain Elevator Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$38,730	$34,213
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $49,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Hickory, NC	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Minnesota	North Dakota
Best paying company	General Mills	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	Finance	Automotive

Differences between grain elevator operator and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a grain elevator operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Grain Elevator Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Grain elevator operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between grain elevator operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Grain Elevator Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.8% White, 73.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between grain elevator operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Grain elevator operator example responsibilities.

Work as a grain elevator operator for summer harvest
Help to design conveyance dollies which reduce assembly walk time and save space.
Perform job tasks in a safe manner in compliance with ADM safety programs and procedures.
Used agris while loading, also have telehandler and bobcat experience, also have grain grading experience
Drive and operate grain truck and semis, tractors, skid steers, augers, conveyors.
Repair machinery including: maintence payloaders skik loaders and forklifts.

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.

Grain elevator operator vs forklift operator skills

Common grain elevator operator skills

Harvest, 24%
Ladders, 13%
Grain Elevator, 12%
Measure Materials, 8%
Routine Maintenance, 7%
Logistics, 6%

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

Grain Elevator Operator vs. similar jobs

Grain Elevator Operator related careers

Grain Elevator Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Grain Elevator Operator
Grain Elevator Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs