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The differences between material handler/forklift operators and mill 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 material handler/forklift operator and a mill operator. Additionally, a mill operator has an average salary of $39,045, which is higher than the $36,453 average annual salary of a material handler/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a material handler/forklift operator include pallets, safety procedures and electric pallet jack. The most important skills for a mill operator are CNC, OSHA, and math.
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $36,453 | $39,045 |
| Hourly rate | $17.53 | $18.77 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 168,379 | 64,574 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Mill operators are skilled employees who are responsible for operating and maintaining milling machines that grind materials such as rocks or chemicals at a milling facility. These operators must gather raw materials for production and assist with the inventory of all materials. They must operate a wide variety of equipment such as power saws, sanders, drill press, and basic hand tools while performing regular maintenance and troubleshooting on the milling machines. Mill operators must also attend safety meetings that are held weekly and monthly to ensure machine operators are following safety procedures.
Material handler/forklift operators and mill operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average salary | $36,453 | $39,045 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $31,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lakeville, MN | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | North Dakota | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Nestlé | Freeport-McMoRan |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Construction |
There are a few differences between a material handler/forklift operator and a mill operator in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 59% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between material handler/forklift operators' and mill operators' demographics:
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | Mill Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 2.4% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |