What does a Pallet Jack Operator do?

Pallet jack operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real pallet jack operator resumes:
- Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
- Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
- Promote to pallet jack operator for re-hang area
- Operate pallet jack move material through facility and perform routine maintenance on equipment
- Comply with all OSHA and MSDS standards.
- Comply with all OSHA and MSDS standards by reporting quality variances.
- Certify cherry picker operator / pull orders and putaway
Pallet jack operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 33% of Pallet Jack Operators are proficient in Pallets, Electric Pallet Jack, and Safety Regulations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Coordination.
We break down the percentage of Pallet Jack Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 33%
Operated Forklift and Pallet machines with accurate and dependable visibility and followed safety and warehouse procedures.
- Electric Pallet Jack, 23%
Operated an electric pallet jack*Selected and stacked products quickly and effectively*Maintained production in a timely and professional manner
- Safety Regulations, 6%
train Staff on product knowledge, pool water testing, customer service, safety Regulations.
- RF Scanner, 6%
Picked orders for shipment using RF scanner and operating electric ride on pallet Jack.
- Basic Math, 6%
Apply basic mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and knowledge of weights and measures.
- Warehouse Environment, 3%
operated machinery and practiced safety precautions in a warehouse environment.
Most pallet jack operators use their skills in "pallets," "electric pallet jack," and "safety regulations" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential pallet jack operator responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Many pallet jack operator duties rely on communication skills. "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material," so a pallet jack operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways pallet jack operator responsibilities rely on communication skills: "utilized sit-down forklifts to pick and put away finished product skills used multi-tasking, communication, detail oriented"
Coordination. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of pallet jack operators is coordination. This skill is critical to many everyday pallet jack operator duties, as "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "warehouse coordination inventory controls feed assembly line"
Mechanical skills. For certain pallet jack operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a pallet jack operator rely on this skill, as "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what pallet jack operators do: "check and maintain safety operating systems of a 150 car lift, including mechanical and computer systems. "
Visual ability. A commonly-found skill in pallet jack operator job descriptions, "visual ability" is essential to what pallet jack operators do. Pallet jack operator responsibilities rely on this skill because "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." You can also see how pallet jack operator duties rely on visual ability in this resume example: "helped bring some ideas learned at gm to costco, including visual management and some of gm safety standards/procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most pallet jack operators are:
- Randstad North America, Inc.10 pallet jack operators jobs
- Sysco7 pallet jack operators jobs
- Kelly Services6 pallet jack operators jobs
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Pallet jack operator vs. Forklift
The primary job of a forklift operator is to operate and manage forklifts used for moving, locating, relocating, stacking, and counting merchandise in various settings, such as construction sites and warehouses. As a forklift operator, you will unload shipments properly and safely, and stack and store them in their designated areas. In addition, you will need to report any quality variances and assist in physical inventories. Other duties that you may perform include ensuring that stock rotation is done properly, inspecting and performing preventative maintenance of forklift and other equipment, and ensuring that inventory security and control are maintained.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, pallet jack operator responsibilities require skills like "hand trucks," "empty pallets," "quality standards," and "safety procedures." Meanwhile a typical forklift has skills in areas such as "shipping receiving," "math," "osha," and "work ethic." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Forklifts tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $34,824. In contrast, pallet jack operators make the biggest average salary, $36,680, in the manufacturing industry.forklifts tend to reach similar levels of education than pallet jack operators. In fact, forklifts are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Pallet jack operator vs. Lift driver
A lift driver is responsible for operating warehouse machines and vehicles, especially on loading and unloading items from distribution trucks and transporting the merchandise to different parts of the warehouse. Lift drivers inspect the efficiency and reliability of the machines, ensuring its operational and optimal performance to avoid production delays. They also verify the number of products for distribution according to the order requests and shipment details. A lift driver must be highly-organized, as well as having excellent time-management skills to perform duties and meet strict production schedules.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real pallet jack operator resumes. While pallet jack operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "basic math," "warehouse environment," "quality standards," and "safety procedures," lift drivers use skills like "fork-lift," "safety standards," "safety rules," and "unload materials."
Lift drivers earn a higher average salary than pallet jack operators. But lift drivers earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $38,145. Additionally, pallet jack operators earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $36,680 annually.lift drivers earn similar levels of education than pallet jack operators in general. They're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Pallet jack operator vs. Warehouse labour
Warehouse labour workers are responsible for organizing shipment details by processing the correct quantity of orders, ensuring that the items are free from any defects and mislabeling. Warehouse labourers prepare the items for packaging efficiently, update the inventory records, and escalate production discrepancy to the management for immediate resolution. They should also strictly adhere to the production area's safety regulations, especially on loading and unloading items, and moving each package to appropriate shelves using warehouse equipment.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a pallet jack operator is likely to be skilled in "rf scanner," "warehouse environment," "selector," and "empty pallets," while a typical warehouse labour is skilled in "customer service," "osha," "cleanliness," and "math."
Warehouse labours earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $33,085. Pallet jack operators earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $36,680.warehouse labours typically earn similar educational levels compared to pallet jack operators. Specifically, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Pallet jack operator vs. Forklift driver
A forklift operator is responsible for managing and operating industrial trucks and machines to ensure its performance safety and stability. Forklift operators' duties include safely handling of deliveries, securely moving items to storage areas, monitoring inventories and supplies, running diagnostic tests, reporting inspected malfunctions and deficiencies, performing basic troubleshooting, and adhering to safety procedures. It is a requirement that a forklift operator must have excellent time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task for daily operations.
Types of pallet jack operator
Updated January 8, 2025