Mule operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between mule operators and lift truck 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 mule operator and a lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, which is higher than the $33,910 average annual salary of a mule operator.

Mule operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Mule Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$33,910	$36,973
Hourly rate	$16.30	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,264	103,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 83%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Mule operator vs lift truck operator salary

Mule operators and lift truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mule Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$33,910	$36,973
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Nestlé
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between mule operator and lift truck operator education

There are a few differences between a mule operator and a lift truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Mule Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 83%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Computer Technical Support	Business
Most common college	-	-

Mule operator vs lift truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between mule operators' and lift truck operators' demographics:

	Mule Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 20.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.8% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between mule operator and lift truck operator duties and responsibilities

Mule operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Landscape and maintain residential HOA communities.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Move inventory in support of logistics management.

Lift truck operator example responsibilities.

Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

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Transportation Industry
Mule Operator
Mule Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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