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Industrial truck driver vs pallet jack operator

The differences between industrial truck drivers and pallet jack 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 pallet jack operator. Additionally, an industrial truck driver has an average salary of $58,782, which is higher than the $34,098 average annual salary of a pallet jack operator.

The top three skills for an industrial truck driver include safety procedures, CDL and trip inspections. The most important skills for a pallet jack operator are pallets, electric pallet jack, and safety regulations.

Industrial truck driver vs pallet jack operator overview

Industrial Truck DriverPallet Jack Operator
Yearly salary$58,782$34,098
Hourly rate$28.26$16.39
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs735,051136,563
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 63%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Industrial truck driver vs pallet jack operator salary

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

Industrial Truck DriverPallet Jack Operator
Average salary$58,782$34,098
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $118,000Between $28,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PADenver, CO
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyDaimler Trucks North AmericaCargill
Best paying industryUtilitiesManufacturing

Differences between industrial truck driver and pallet jack operator education

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

Industrial Truck DriverPallet Jack Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Industrial truck driver vs pallet jack operator demographics

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

Industrial Truck DriverPallet Jack Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 87.7% Female, 12.3%Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5%
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, 17.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 2.7% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between industrial truck driver and pallet jack 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

Pallet jack operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
  • Promote to pallet jack operator for re-hang area
  • Operate pallet jack move material through facility and perform routine maintenance on equipment
  • Comply with all OSHA and MSDS standards.
  • Comply with all OSHA and MSDS standards by reporting quality variances.
  • Show more

Industrial truck driver vs pallet jack 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 pallet jack operator skills
  • Pallets, 33%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 23%
  • Safety Regulations, 6%
  • RF Scanner, 6%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Warehouse Environment, 3%

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