Post job

Industrial truck driver vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between industrial truck drivers and machine operator/forklift 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 machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, an industrial truck driver has an average salary of $58,782, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for an industrial truck driver include safety procedures, CDL and trip inspections. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Industrial truck driver vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

Industrial Truck DriverMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$58,782$32,452
Hourly rate$28.26$15.60
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs735,051120,073
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Industrial truck driver vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Industrial truck drivers and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Industrial Truck DriverMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary$58,782$32,452
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $118,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PARenton, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyDaimler Trucks North AmericaTreeHouse Foods
Best paying industryUtilitiesAutomotive

Differences between industrial truck driver and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

Industrial Truck DriverMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Industrial truck driver vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between industrial truck drivers' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

Industrial Truck DriverMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 87.7% Female, 12.3%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
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, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between industrial truck driver and machine operator/forklift 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

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
  • Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
  • Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
  • Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.
  • Show more

Industrial truck driver vs machine operator/forklift 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 machine operator/forklift operator skills
  • Safety Standards, 17%
  • Drive Forklift, 9%
  • Load Trucks, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%
  • CNC, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

Browse transportation jobs