Overhead crane operator vs forklift operator

The differences between overhead crane operators and 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 an overhead crane operator and a forklift operator. Additionally, an overhead crane operator has an average salary of $34,797, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for an overhead crane operator include cranes, overhead cranes and determines safety. The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Overhead crane operator vs forklift operator overview

	Overhead Crane Operator	Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$34,797	$34,213
Hourly rate	$16.73	$16.45
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	39,211	213,020
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 59%
Average age	47	43
Years of experience	4	4

Overhead crane operator vs forklift operator salary

Overhead crane operators and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Overhead Crane Operator	Forklift Operator
Average salary	$34,797	$34,213
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $41,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Rome, NY	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Washington	North Dakota
Best paying company	Olympic Steel	DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Automotive

Differences between overhead crane operator and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between an overhead crane operator and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Overhead Crane Operator	Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Overhead crane operator vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between overhead crane operators' and forklift operators' demographics:

	Overhead Crane Operator	Forklift Operator
Average age	47	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 0.7% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	4%

Differences between overhead crane operator and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Overhead crane operator example responsibilities.

Operate traveling overhead crane to lift, move, and position loads of raw steel material using a hook hoisting attachment.
Loaded/Unload trucks safely using overhead cranes and/or mobile equipment.
Certify crane operator and heavy equipment operator NCCCO certify TWIC certify MSHA training course
Operate TLL to hang pipe, values and other material in racks for site construction.
Operate hydraulic and lattice cranes, crane assembly and disassembly, oiling, rigging, and signaling.
Operate 60 ton rough terrain , 165 ton link-belt, and 175 ton 777 Manitowoc.Forrest``ken"Haley

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.

Overhead crane operator vs forklift operator skills

Common overhead crane operator skills

Cranes, 19%
Overhead Cranes, 9%
Determines Safety, 9%
Steel Coils, 7%
Hoisting, 6%
Tape Measure, 4%

Common forklift operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Basic Math, 6%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Load Trucks, 4%

Overhead Crane Operator vs. similar jobs

Overhead Crane Operator related careers

Overhead Crane Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Overhead Crane Operator
Overhead Crane Operator vs Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs