Materials handling equipment operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between materials handling equipment operators and machine operator/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 materials handling equipment operator and a machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a materials handling equipment operator has an average salary of $34,554, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a materials handling equipment operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety regulations. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Materials handling equipment operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$34,554	$32,452
Hourly rate	$16.61	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	72,569	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Materials handling equipment operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Materials handling equipment operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$34,554	$32,452
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Renton, WA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	TreeHouse Foods
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between materials handling equipment operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a materials handling equipment operator and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Materials handling equipment operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between materials handling equipment operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

	Materials Handling Equipment Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between materials handling equipment operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Materials handling equipment operator example responsibilities.

Operate stand-up forklift, reach truck and walkie.
Unload railcars using crane, forklift and overhead hoists.
Certify on walkie rider, stand-up forklift/ high reach forklift, and turret truck.
Perform daily pre and post maintenance inspection checks on designate material handling equipment (MHE).
Load and secure items onto pallets and ensure that the materials are in the proper place and prepare them for shipment.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.

Materials handling equipment operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common materials handling equipment operator skills

Pallets, 16%
Pallet Jack, 12%
Safety Regulations, 9%
End Loaders, 8%
Basic Math, 7%
Safety Procedures, 6%

Common machine operator/forklift operator skills

Safety Standards, 17%
Drive Forklift, 9%
Load Trucks, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
CNC, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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Transportation Industry
Materials Handling Equipment Operator
Materials Handling Equipment Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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