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The differences between material handlers and forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forklift operator has an average salary of $34,213, which is higher than the $33,215 average annual salary of a material handler.
The top three skills for a material handler include pallets, basic math and forklifts. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.
| Material Handler | Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $33,215 | $34,213 |
| Hourly rate | $15.97 | $16.45 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 174,068 | 213,020 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
Material handlers are responsible for moving products, storing items, and managing supplies to proper shelf categories. A material handler also documents deliveries and ensures that all items for shipment are correct and free of any damage. Material handlers must also be a fast-learner to operate various warehouse equipment that would make the task more efficient and less time-consuming. A material handler must also check all the incoming deliveries to validate all purchases made. Material handlers must be able to analyze sheet orders and prepare the correct merchandise the client needs.
Forklift operators are skilled workers responsible for operating heavy equipment machines called forklifts. They are in charge of operating forklifts, a type of industrial or heavy equipment truck/machine that moves materials from one place to another through prongs protruding from the machine. Forklift operators are responsible for loading and unloading cargo, operating the machine to ensure that the cargo reaches its destination, and complying with safety protocols. They are also in-charge of maintenance work on the machine and reporting any challenges or issues that may be encountered. Forklift operators must be physically fit and alert at all times.
Material handlers and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Handler | Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $33,215 | $34,213 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $41,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Battelle | DeWitt LLP Law Firm |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a material handler and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Material Handler | Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 51% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between material handlers' and forklift operators' demographics:
| Material Handler | Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 40 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |