Lead loader vs lift operator

The differences between lead loaders and lift 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 lead loader and a lift operator. Additionally, a lead loader has an average salary of $36,858, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.

The top three skills for a lead loader include load trucks, safety standards and pallets. The most important skills for a lift operator are pallets, fork-lift, and electric pallet jack.

Lead loader vs lift operator overview

	Lead Loader	Lift Operator
Yearly salary	$36,858	$32,309
Hourly rate	$17.72	$15.53
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	4,333	72,445
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Lead loader vs lift operator salary

Lead loaders and lift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Lead Loader	Lift Operator
Average salary	$36,858	$32,309
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $58,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between lead loader and lift operator education

There are a few differences between a lead loader and a lift operator in terms of educational background:

	Lead Loader	Lift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Lead loader vs lift operator demographics

Here are the differences between lead loaders' and lift operators' demographics:

	Lead Loader	Lift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 2.3% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 15.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between lead loader and lift operator duties and responsibilities

Lead loader example responsibilities.

Manage Mexico border, customs paperwork, and drayage for Lear, drayage/door to door movements for Nissan.
Move product locations using RF unit.
Help direct other loaders during operation, ensuring accurate and efficient completion of tasks.
Distribute work to loaders daily and keep records of production numbers for each loader.
General warehouse duties and responsible for cleaning the work area and equipment regularly by removing empty pallets, wood and plastic.
Operate various machines throughout warehouse following OSHA and company safety protocols.

Lift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Use AS400 to take yarn out of inventory.
Load and unload ship cargo using wenches or other hoisting devices.
Check forklift for problems such as fluid levels, tires and forks.
Load and unload trucks with as sit down with slip sheet and double forks attachment practicing a safe environment.
Record inventory and reroute misplaced pallets at rack locations to the correct location

Lead loader vs lift operator skills

Common lead loader skills

Load Trucks, 18%
Safety Standards, 16%
Pallets, 11%
Loaders, 9%
Unload Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%

Common lift operator skills

Pallets, 17%
Fork-Lift, 14%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Safety Rules, 9%
Power Saws, 4%
Load Trucks, 4%