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The differences between loader/drivers 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 loader/driver and a forklift operator. Additionally, a loader/driver has an average salary of $39,446, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.
The top three skills for a loader/driver include CDL, safety equipment and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Loader/Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,446 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $18.96 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 137,815 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Loader/drivers and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Loader/Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $39,446 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $59,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | New York | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Bulkmatic Transport | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a loader/driver and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Loader/Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 48% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between loader/drivers' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Loader/Driver | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 15.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 4% | 4% |