Hoist operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between hoist operators and fork truck operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a hoist operator, becoming a fork truck operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a hoist operator has an average salary of $33,428, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a hoist operator include pallets, unload materials and safety checks. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Hoist operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Hoist Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$33,428	$32,272
Hourly rate	$16.07	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	49,107	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	2	4

Hoist operator vs fork truck operator salary

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

	Hoist Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$33,428	$32,272
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $39,000	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 hoist operator and fork truck operator education

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

	Hoist Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hoist operator vs fork truck operator demographics

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

	Hoist Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
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, 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	4%	4%

Differences between hoist operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Hoist operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Move inventory in support of logistics management.

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.

Hoist operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common hoist operator skills

Pallets, 28%
Unload Materials, 21%
Safety Checks, 21%
Inventory Control, 9%
Clamp Truck, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%

Common fork truck operator skills

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

Hoist Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Hoist Operator
Hoist Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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