What does an industrial truck driver do?
Industrial truck driver responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real industrial truck driver resumes:
- 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
- Clean and maintain supplies, tools, equipment, and storage areas in order to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Procure required manufacturing equipment and parts.
- Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries
Industrial truck driver skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Industrial Truck Drivers are proficient in Safety Procedures, CDL, and Trip Inspections. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Industrial Truck Drivers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Procedures, 23%
Conduct safety procedures as to perform and maintain daily vehicle inspection records.
- CDL, 18%
Operate combination tractor-trailer requiring CDL under DOT regulations and company policy's.
- Trip Inspections, 17%
Conduct daily DOT pre - trip inspections according to a set checklist.
- Unload Trucks, 6%
Load & unload trucks (called containers).
- Vacuum Truck, 6%
Work for contract company running blasting rigs and vacuum truck in a variety of refineries/mines/plants in south Louisiana.
- Pre-trip, 5%
Conducted daily DOT pre-trip inspections according to a set checklist.
Most industrial truck drivers use their skills in "safety procedures," "cdl," and "trip inspections" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential industrial truck driver responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform industrial truck driver duties is communication skills. Industrial truck drivers responsibilities require that "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Industrial truck drivers also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintain inventory of company van stock, expense account and communication equipment. "
Mechanical skills. industrial truck drivers are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to industrial truck driver responsibilities, because "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." An industrial truck driver resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "operated lift beams and swivel-hooks, hoists, and elevating platforms, manually or mechanically. "
Visual ability. industrial truck driver responsibilities often require "visual ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." This resume example shows what industrial truck drivers do with visual ability on a typical day: "transport of mobile center to locations, transport-vehicle maintenance, mobile center operation, customer service, & audio/visual equipment troubleshooting. "
The three companies that hire the most industrial truck drivers are:
- Ozark Motor Lines1,123 industrial truck drivers jobs
- Harsco3 industrial truck drivers jobs
- Republic Services2 industrial truck drivers jobs
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Industrial truck driver vs. Operator
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, industrial truck driver responsibilities require skills like "trip inspections," "unload trucks," "vacuum truck," and "pre-trip." Meanwhile a typical operator has skills in areas such as "emergency calls," "preventative maintenance," "quality checks," and "dozer." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Operators earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $41,321. On the other hand, industrial truck drivers are paid more in the utilities industry with an average salary of $63,306.On average, operators reach similar levels of education than industrial truck drivers. Operators are 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Industrial truck driver vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, industrial truck driver responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cdl," "trip inspections," "unload trucks," and "vacuum truck." Meanwhile, a machine operator/forklift operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety standards," "drive forklift," "load trucks," and "machine operation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Machine operator/forklift operators may earn a lower salary than industrial truck drivers, but machine operator/forklift operators earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,711. On the other hand, industrial truck drivers receive higher pay in the utilities industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,306.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Machine operator/forklift operators tend to reach similar levels of education than industrial truck drivers. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Industrial truck driver vs. Loader operator
A loader operator is responsible for operating and driving multi-wheeled heavy vehicles to transport goods and services from the distribution centers to various locations. Loader operators must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record to ensure smooth operations and timely deliveries. They also maintain the stability and efficiency of the engine, conduct regular maintenance, and perform repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid potential hazards and prevent operational delays. A loader operator responds to the customers' inquiries and concerns and escalates their complaints to the management.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from industrial truck driver resumes include skills like "trip inspections," "unload trucks," "vacuum truck," and "pre-trip," whereas a loader operator is more likely to list skills in "front end loader," "asphalt," "customer service," and "loaders. "
Loader operators earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $40,869. Industrial truck drivers earn the highest pay from the utilities industry, with an average salary of $63,306.loader operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to industrial truck drivers. Specifically, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Industrial truck driver vs. Forklift operator
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Types of industrial truck driver
Updated January 8, 2025











