Palletizer operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between palletizer operators and fork 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 palletizer operator and a fork truck operator. Additionally, a palletizer operator has an average salary of $35,918, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a palletizer operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety rules. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Palletizer operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Palletizer Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$35,918	$32,272
Hourly rate	$17.27	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	57,887	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Palletizer operator vs fork truck operator salary

Palletizer operators and fork truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Palletizer Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$35,918	$32,272
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $43,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Guilderland, NY	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	Agriculture	Finance

Differences between palletizer operator and fork truck operator education

There are a few differences between a palletizer operator and a fork truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Palletizer Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Palletizer operator vs fork truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between palletizer operators' and fork truck operators' demographics:

	Palletizer Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between palletizer operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Palletizer operator example responsibilities.

Comply with all procedures, rules and regulations, and comply with all GMP regulations and standard operating procedures.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Print and file IM reports, quality control, ensure lines are running efficiently.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Palletizer operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common palletizer operator skills

Pallets, 25%
Pallet Jack, 7%
Safety Rules, 7%
Quality Checks, 6%
Basic Math, 6%
Production Lines, 5%

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

Palletizer Operator vs. similar jobs

Palletizer Operator related careers

Palletizer Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Palletizer Operator
Palletizer Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs