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Industrial truck driver vs loader operator

The differences between industrial truck drivers 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 an industrial truck driver and a loader operator. Additionally, an industrial truck driver has an average salary of $58,782, which is higher than the $36,987 average annual salary of a loader operator.

The top three skills for an industrial truck driver include safety procedures, CDL and trip inspections. The most important skills for a loader operator are front end loader, asphalt, and customer service.

Industrial truck driver vs loader operator overview

Industrial Truck DriverLoader Operator
Yearly salary$58,782$36,987
Hourly rate$28.26$17.78
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs735,05161,980
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 57%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Industrial truck driver vs loader operator salary

Industrial truck drivers and loader operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Industrial Truck DriverLoader Operator
Average salary$58,782$36,987
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $118,000Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PABismarck, ND
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyDaimler Trucks North AmericaDairy Farmers of America
Best paying industryUtilitiesConstruction

Differences between industrial truck driver and loader operator education

There are a few differences between an industrial truck driver and a loader operator in terms of educational background:

Industrial Truck DriverLoader Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Industrial truck driver vs loader operator demographics

Here are the differences between industrial truck drivers' and loader operators' demographics:

Industrial Truck DriverLoader Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 87.7% Female, 12.3%Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 16.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 2.5% White, 58.4% 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 Percentage4%4%

Differences between industrial truck driver and loader operator duties and responsibilities

Industrial truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Operate lift beams and swivel-hooks, hoists, and elevating platforms, manually or mechanically.
  • Perform safety inspections in truck as required by DOT.9.
  • Simulate and gather data on connectors and wire resistance via LabVIEW software tool.
  • Implement wire harness from the power fuse box to the connectors making sure the wire perform efficiently and reliably.
  • Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Industrial truck driver vs loader operator skills

Common industrial truck driver skills
  • Safety Procedures, 23%
  • CDL, 18%
  • Trip Inspections, 17%
  • Unload Trucks, 6%
  • Vacuum Truck, 6%
  • Pre-trip, 5%
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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