Hi lift operator vs loader operator

The differences between hi lift operators and loader 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 hi lift operator and a loader operator. Additionally, a loader operator has an average salary of $36,987, which is higher than the $35,931 average annual salary of a hi lift operator.

The top three skills for a hi lift operator include pallets, operate hi-lo and SIT. The most important skills for a loader operator are front end loader, asphalt, and customer service.

Hi lift operator vs loader operator overview

	Hi Lift Operator	Loader Operator
Yearly salary	$35,931	$36,987
Hourly rate	$17.27	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,577	61,980
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Hi lift operator vs loader operator salary

Hi lift operators and loader operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Hi Lift Operator	Loader Operator
Average salary	$35,931	$36,987
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $43,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Bismarck, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between hi lift operator and loader operator education

There are a few differences between a hi lift operator and a loader operator in terms of educational background:

	Hi Lift Operator	Loader Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hi lift operator vs loader operator demographics

Here are the differences between hi lift operators' and loader operators' demographics:

	Hi Lift Operator	Loader Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6%	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between hi lift operator and loader operator duties and responsibilities

Hi lift operator example responsibilities.

Operate hi-low to transport products from building to dock areas.
Load or unload materials onto or off pallets, skids, or lifting devices.
Drop reserved pallets into empty selection pallets.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Loader operator example responsibilities.

Inventory control; FIFO procedures, HAZMAT certify.
Excavate midstream on load lines for repair backfill and finish
Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
Excavate and prepare trenches for plumbing and utilities to residential homes.
Operate excavator doing residential demolition and dig footings for new structures.
Utilize appropriate level of PPE for the chemical being handle or transfer.

Hi lift operator vs loader operator skills

Common hi lift operator skills

Pallets, 29%
Operate Hi-Lo, 13%
SIT, 8%
Safety Regulations, 7%
Select Cases, 4%
Warehouse Management System, 4%

Common loader operator skills

Front End Loader, 11%
Asphalt, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Loaders, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Hi Lift Operator
Hi Lift Operator vs Loader Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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