Mule operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between mule 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 mule operator and a machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a mule operator has an average salary of $33,910, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

Mule operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

	Mule Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$33,910	$32,452
Hourly rate	$16.30	$15.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,264	120,073
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 83%	High School Diploma, 61%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Mule operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Mule operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mule Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary	$33,910	$32,452
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $41,000	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 mule operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

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

	Mule Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 83%	High School Diploma, 61%
Most common major	Computer Technical Support	Business
Most common college	-	-

Mule operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between mule operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

	Mule Operator	Machine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2%	Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
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, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between mule operator and machine operator/forklift 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.

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.

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Transportation Industry
Mule Operator
Mule Operator vs Machine Operator/Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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