What does a Loader Operator do?
A loader operator is responsible for operating and driving multi-wheeled heavy vehicles to transport goods and services from the distribution centers to various locations. Loader operators must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record to ensure smooth operations and timely deliveries. They also maintain the stability and efficiency of the engine, conduct regular maintenance, and perform repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid potential hazards and prevent operational delays. A loader operator responds to the customers' inquiries and concerns and escalates their complaints to the management.
Loader operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real loader operator resumes:
- 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.
- write invoices communicate with client cut trenches around gas piping dot insp.
- Control back-hoe, trench-digging attachment, and lift-scoop attachment to dig and backfill trenches.
- Wear proper PPE including supply air mask to facilitate maximum safety during hazardous chemical loading.
- Put away material using FIFO and making sure no damage is present on the items.
- Build pole barns, plumbing, heavy machine operator, excavator, hauling trucks, and skid steers.
- Start engine, move throttle, switches, and levers and depress pedals to operate machines, equipment and attachments.
- Unload and sort semi-trailers and make pallets according to customers warehouse guidelines.
- Configure and operate screw-machines with partial CNC capabilities.
- Programme CNC machine for component placement and trigonometry assessment of circuitry board.
Loader operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Loader Operators are proficient in Front End Loader, Asphalt, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Visual ability, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Loader Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Front End Loader, 11%
Operate front end loaders efficiently and effectively.
- Asphalt, 9%
Certified weigh scale operator: loaded hot asphalt with antiquated plant / silo operational systems, per DOT & CDOT regulations.
- Customer Service, 8%
Provide customer service and conduct daily inventory cycle count to accurately maintain proper levels.
- Loaders, 7%
Operated John Deere 644, 824 Loaders to stockpile trash dumped inside holding building then load into dump trailers for removal.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Performed minor repairs on rock crusher and loader using grease gun, oilcans, and hand tools.
- Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Transported materials to proper locations throughout the facility as instructed by superiors.- Responsible for performing daily preventative maintenance throughout the facility.
Common skills that a loader operator uses to do their job include "front end loader," "asphalt," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important loader operator responsibilities below.
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a loader operator to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Loader operators often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provide good customer service to internal personnel and external carriers through effective communication. "
Visual ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling loader operator duties is visual ability. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." According to a loader operator resume, here's how loader operators can utilize visual ability in their job responsibilities: "have experience with cat 966 and cat 980 front end loaders.scrap cuttervisually inspect oxygen and propane lines for damage or leaks. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of loader operators is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday loader operator duties, as "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "perform general maintenance on the loaders and also fix any mechanical failures. "
The three companies that hire the most loader operators are:
- Oldcastle Infrastructure59 loader operators jobs
- Lehigh Hanson
44 loader operators jobs
- Copart31 loader operators jobs
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Compare different loader operators
Loader operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, loader operator responsibilities require skills like "front end loader," "asphalt," "customer service," and "loaders." Meanwhile a typical machine operator/forklift operator has skills in areas such as "drive forklift," "machine operation," "cnc," and "electric pallet jack." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Machine operator/forklift operators tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,711. In contrast, loader operators make the biggest average salary, $40,869, in the construction industry.On average, machine operator/forklift operators reach similar levels of education than loader operators. Machine operator/forklift operators are 0.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Loader operator vs. Equipment operator/labour
Heavy equipment operators control and drive construction equipment. The operators operate heavy equipment, including backhoes, bulldozers, and lift. They are in charge of placing or moving materials and other equipment. Their job covers the inspection, cleanup, lubrication, and refilling of equipment. They should have experience in operating machines. Among the skills necessary for this job include attention to detail, physical strength, knowledge of production procedure, and analytical skills. They should be able to read schematics, manuals, and blueprints.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real loader operator resumes. While loader operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "hand tools," "msha," and "osha," equipment operators/labour use skills like "sewer lines," "construction sites," "forklifts," and "manual labor."
On average, equipment operators/labour earn a lower salary than loader operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, equipment operators/labour earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $38,812. Whereas loader operators have higher pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $40,869.equipment operators/labour earn similar levels of education than loader operators in general. They're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Loader operator vs. Equipment operator-driver
A loader's responsibilities regularly involve manual work such as lifting and transporting objects to vehicles like trucks and vans. The tasks of a loader may also include operating various kinds of machines, maintain accurate documentation and inventory, sort and organize goods while examining their quality and quantity, and devise strategies on how to expand space capacity. A loader also needs to coordinate with staff at all times, and report to managers or supervisors should there be any issues or inconsistencies.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a loader operator is likely to be skilled in "asphalt," "customer service," "hand tools," and "load trucks," while a typical equipment operator-driver is skilled in "dot," "post-trip inspections," "hazmat," and "drive equipment."
When it comes to education, equipment operators-driver tend to earn similar degree levels compared to loader operators. In fact, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Loader operator vs. Loader/unloader
Even though a few skill sets overlap between loader operators and loader/unloaders, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a loader operator might have more use for skills like "front end loader," "asphalt," "customer service," and "loaders." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of loader/unloaders require skills like "inventory control," "electric pallet jack," "pallets," and "delivery truck. "
Loader/unloaders enjoy the best pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $34,552. For comparison, loader operators earn the highest salary in the construction industry.The average resume of loader/unloaders showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to loader operators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.Types of loader operator
Updated January 8, 2025
