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The differences between labour operators and 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 a labour operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $34,180 average annual salary of a labour operator.
The top three skills for a labour operator include safety regulations, CDL and dump truck. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Labour Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,180 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $16.43 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 61,894 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Labor operators typically drive, maneuver the heavy machinery used to construct buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures. Their tasks and duties include cleaning and maintaining construction equipment, reporting faulty mechanism to supervisors, driving and operating equipment, and ensuring that the standards for safety are met. They often work with different kinds of construction equipment and may maneuver loading and excavation machinery. They also operate and maintain other power construction equipment such as air compressors and pumps at their working sites.
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.
Labour operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Labour Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,180 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Sierra Pacific Industries | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Education | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a labour operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Labour Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between labour operators' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Labour Operator | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 1.0% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% | Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |