Loader operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between loader operators and production 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 operator and a production forklift operator. Additionally, a loader operator has an average salary of $36,987, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

The top three skills for a loader operator include front end loader, asphalt and customer service. The most important skills for a production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Loader operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Loader Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$36,987	$34,322
Hourly rate	$17.78	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	61,980	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Loader operator vs production forklift operator salary

Loader operators and production forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Loader Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$36,987	$34,322
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $46,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Bismarck, ND	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Dairy Farmers of America	Darigold
Best paying industry	Construction	Manufacturing

Differences between loader operator and production forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a loader operator and a production forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Loader Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Loader operator vs production forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between loader operators' and production forklift operators' demographics:

	Loader Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between loader operator and production forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Loader operator example responsibilities.

Inventory control; FIFO procedures, HAZMAT certify.
Excavate midstream on load lines for repair backfill and finish
Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
Excavate and prepare trenches for plumbing and utilities to residential homes.
Operate excavator doing residential demolition and dig footings for new structures.
Utilize appropriate level of PPE for the chemical being handle or transfer.

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Loader operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common loader operator skills

Front End Loader, 11%
Asphalt, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Loaders, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Loader Operator
Loader Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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