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The differences between lift operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line operator has an average salary of $34,520, 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 line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Lift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,309 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $15.53 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 72,445 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 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 line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
Lift operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,309 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | BD | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a lift operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Lift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lift operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Lift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |