Material handler/forklift operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between material handler/forklift 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 material handler/forklift operator and a production forklift operator. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production 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 production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Material handler/forklift operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Material Handler/Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$36,453	$34,322
Hourly rate	$17.53	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	168,379	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Material handler/forklift operator vs production forklift operator salary

Material handler/forklift operators and production forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Material Handler/Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$36,453	$34,322
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $45,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Lakeville, MN	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	Darigold
Best paying industry	Automotive	Manufacturing

Differences between material handler/forklift operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Material Handler/Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Material handler/forklift operator vs production forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between material handler/forklift operators' and production forklift operators' demographics:

	Material Handler/Forklift Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 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 material handler/forklift operator and production forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Material handler/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Train in all aspects of warehousing, shipping, receiving using WMS.
Receive parts from the manufacturers and scan parts into the inventory using warehouse management system (WMS).
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Determine require pallet count to meet the statistical receiving requirements.
Operate tools (hand truck, fork lift, dollies, hand jack), distribute materials to their designate departments.

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

Material handler/forklift operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common material handler/forklift operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Forklift Operation, 7%
RF Scanner, 6%
Assembly Line, 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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Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Material Handler/Forklift Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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