Hoist operator vs forklift operator

The differences between hoist operators and forklift 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 forklift operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $33,428 average annual salary of a hoist operator.

The top three skills for a hoist operator include pallets, unload materials and safety checks. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Hoist operator vs forklift operator overview

	Hoist Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$33,428	$34,213
Hourly rate	$16.07	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	49,107	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	2	4

Hoist operator vs forklift operator salary

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

	Hoist Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$33,428	$34,213
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $39,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	North Dakota
Best paying company	-	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between hoist operator and forklift operator education

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

	Hoist Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hoist operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between hoist operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Hoist Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%	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 hoist operator and forklift 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.

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.

Hoist operator vs forklift operator skills

Common hoist operator skills

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

Common forklift operator skills

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

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Transportation Industry
Hoist Operator
Hoist Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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