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The differences between lift operators and lift truck 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 lift operator and a lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, which is higher than the $32,309 average annual salary of a lift operator.
The top three skills for a lift operator include pallets, fork-lift and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a lift truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trailers.
| Lift Operator | Lift Truck Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,309 | $36,973 |
| Hourly rate | $15.53 | $17.78 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 72,445 | 103,337 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A lift operator is responsible for overseeing the performance of chair lifts in ski resorts and mountains, ensuring the efficiency of the machine and safety of all riders. Aside from controlling operations, they must also assist customers in getting up and off the lifts, remind them of the safety precautions, and ensure that the ride capacity is up to standard. Furthermore, lift operators must make sure that the machine is in good condition and adhere to all the safety regulations and policies at all times.
A forklift operator is responsible for lifting and transporting heavy equipment and industrial trucks. They are responsible for loading and unloading products and delivering them from factories or storage facilities to another place like warehouses. This person operates a forklift to ensure the safety and efficacy of the product, cargo, and machine equipment. Also, they need to identify damages, deficiencies, and shortages. An operator reports how the day-to-day operation goes, and their goal is to ensure that the shipment will go to the right place.
Lift operators and lift truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lift Operator | Lift Truck Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,309 | $36,973 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $29,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Springfield, OR |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BD | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a lift operator and a lift truck operator in terms of educational background:
| Lift Operator | Lift Truck Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lift operators' and lift truck operators' demographics:
| Lift Operator | Lift Truck Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |