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Industrial worker vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between industrial workers and machine operator/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator/forklift operator has an average salary of $32,452, which is higher than the $31,464 average annual salary of an industrial worker.

The top three skills for an industrial worker include industrial cleaning, pallets and hand tools. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Industrial worker vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

Industrial WorkerMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$31,464$32,452
Hourly rate$15.13$15.60
Growth rate1%7%
Number of jobs99,045120,073
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age3843
Years of experience-4

Industrial worker vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

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

Industrial WorkerMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary$31,464$32,452
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityWhite Bear Lake, MNRenton, WA
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyClean HarborsTreeHouse Foods
Best paying industryAutomotiveAutomotive

Differences between industrial worker and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

Industrial WorkerMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Industrial worker vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

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

Industrial WorkerMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age3843
Gender ratioMale, 61.3% Female, 38.7%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage9%4%

Differences between industrial worker and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Industrial worker example responsibilities.

  • Maximize efficiency by critically evaluating resources by utilizing on-the-spot math and visualizing complete orders to minimize error before building a pallet.
  • Help develop acontrol atmosphere brazing oven for a new cupro braze radiator

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 worker vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common industrial worker skills
  • Industrial Cleaning, 19%
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Assembly Line, 14%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Pallet Jack, 4%
Common machine operator/forklift operator skills
  • Safety Standards, 17%
  • Drive Forklift, 9%
  • Load Trucks, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%
  • CNC, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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