Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between lead operator/machine operators and machine operator/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead operator/machine operator has an average salary of $39,819, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a lead operator/machine operator include safety procedures, machine operators and quality standards. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,819 | $32,452 |
| Hourly rate | $19.14 | $15.60 |
| Growth rate | - | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 162,376 | 120,073 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A Lead Operator or an Industrial Machinery Mechanic is responsible for creating, installing, and repairing different types of machinery. This person does the adjustment and maintenance of machines as well as the industrial production and distribution of types of equipment and other systems. They also identify the causes of the problem and determines the valued solutions. Other duties include maintaining the routine monitoring of equipment to ensure quality standards and examines the production equipment to evaluate the performance and if there are changes.
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.
Lead operator/machine operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,819 | $32,452 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $26,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Renton, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | TreeHouse Foods | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a lead operator/machine operator and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lead operator/machine operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:
| Lead Operator/Machine Operator | Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 44 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 Percentage | 5% | 4% |