Material processor vs material handler/forklift operator

The differences between material processors and material handler/forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a material processor, becoming a material handler/forklift operator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $31,148 average annual salary of a material processor.

The top three skills for a material processor include aerospace, CNC and hand tools. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.

Material processor vs material handler/forklift operator overview

	Material Processor	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$31,148	$36,453
Hourly rate	$14.97	$17.53
Growth rate	-3%	7%
Number of jobs	25,241	168,379
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	45	43
Years of experience	2	4

Material processor vs material handler/forklift operator salary

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

	Material Processor	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$31,148	$36,453
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $39,000	Between $29,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	El Dorado Hills, CA	Lakeville, MN
Highest paying state	California	North Dakota
Best paying company	Northrop Grumman	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Automotive

Differences between material processor and material handler/forklift operator education

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

	Material Processor	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	-

Material processor vs material handler/forklift operator demographics

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

	Material Processor	Material Handler/Forklift Operator
Average age	45	43
Gender ratio	Male, 61.3% Female, 38.7%	Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 7.2% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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%
LGBT Percentage	11%	4%

Differences between material processor and material handler/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Material processor example responsibilities.

Manage and coordinate customer delivery commits between production, engineering and logistics.
Pick orders using RF scanner.
Provide assistance during shipment audits for less-than truckload (LTL) freight.
Work directly with mortgage lenders and foreclosure attorneys to negotiate timely and cost effective repayment plans or modifications for delinquent loans.
Perform the necessary research on new parts and WIP utilizing a wide variety of technical manuals, blue prints and drawings.
Streamline manufacturing process by supporting WIP management and warehouse and material repair board coordinator.

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.

Material processor vs material handler/forklift operator skills

Common material processor skills

Aerospace, 9%
CNC, 9%
Hand Tools, 7%
Computer System, 7%
Inventory Control, 6%
Lean Manufacturing, 6%

Common material handler/forklift operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Forklift Operation, 7%
RF Scanner, 6%
Assembly Line, 4%

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Material Processor vs Material Handler/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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