Heavy machine operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between heavy machine operators and fork 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 heavy machine operator and a fork truck operator. Additionally, a heavy machine operator has an average salary of $38,232, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a heavy machine operator include cranes, preventative maintenance and CNC. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Heavy machine operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Heavy Machine Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$38,232	$32,272
Hourly rate	$18.38	$15.52
Growth rate	4%	7%
Number of jobs	73,011	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Heavy machine operator vs fork truck operator salary

Heavy machine operators and fork truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Heavy Machine Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$38,232	$32,272
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $49,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between heavy machine operator and fork truck operator education

There are a few differences between a heavy machine operator and a fork truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Heavy Machine Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Heavy machine operator vs fork truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between heavy machine operators' and fork truck operators' demographics:

	Heavy Machine Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	2%	4%

Differences between heavy machine operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Heavy machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Dig trenches and level earth to grade specification, using pick, shovel and backhoe.
Operate heavy machinery, manual labor and assisting crew where need; CDL driving for certain jobs
Operate excavation and loading machines equip with scoops, shovels, or buckets that dig gravel and earth.
Make excavations and load different material using a loader.
Load & unload trucks with forklift or bobcat for outbound delivery.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Heavy machine operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common heavy machine operator skills

Cranes, 13%
Preventative Maintenance, 13%
CNC, 12%
Grinders, 12%
Troubleshoot, 11%
Load Trucks, 6%

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Heavy Machine Operator
Heavy Machine Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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