Melter operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between melter operators and production forklift operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a melter operator has an average salary of $35,740, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

The top three skills for a melter operator include aluminum, safety procedures and customer specifications. The most important skills for a production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Melter operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Melter Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$35,740	$34,322
Hourly rate	$17.18	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	30,201	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	42	43
Years of experience	-	4

Melter operator vs production forklift operator salary

Melter operators and production forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Melter Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$35,740	$34,322
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $47,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Darigold
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between melter operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Melter Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Melter operator vs production forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between melter operators' and production forklift operators' demographics:

	Melter Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	42	43
Gender ratio	Male, 96.6% Female, 3.4%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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	8%	4%

Differences between melter operator and production forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Melter operator example responsibilities.

Exhibit leadership skills by managing co-worker assignments while simultaneously monitoring the skate floor
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Exhibit leadership skills by managing co-worker assignments while simultaneously monitoring the skate floor

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

Melter operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common melter operator skills

Aluminum, 44%
Safety Procedures, 43%
Customer Specifications, 7%
Hoists, 5%

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

Melter Operator vs. similar jobs

Melter Operator related careers

Melter Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Melter Operator
Melter Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs