Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between machine operator/forklift 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 $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a machine operator/forklift operator include safety standards, drive forklift and load trucks. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $32,452 | $34,520 |
| Hourly rate | $15.60 | $16.60 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 120,073 | 137,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
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.
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.
Machine operator/forklift operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average salary | $32,452 | $34,520 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Renton, WA | Grand Forks, ND |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | TreeHouse Foods | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a machine operator/forklift operator and a line operator in terms of educational background:
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between machine operator/forklift operators' and line operators' demographics:
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Line Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% | Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |