Palletizer operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between palletizer operators and production 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 palletizer operator and a production forklift operator. Additionally, a palletizer operator has an average salary of $35,918, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

The top three skills for a palletizer operator include pallets, pallet jack and safety rules. The most important skills for a production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Palletizer operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Palletizer Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$35,918	$34,322
Hourly rate	$17.27	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	57,887	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Palletizer operator vs production forklift operator salary

Palletizer operators and production forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Palletizer Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$35,918	$34,322
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $43,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Guilderland, NY	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Nestlé	Darigold
Best paying industry	Agriculture	Manufacturing

Differences between palletizer operator and production forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a palletizer operator and a production forklift operator in terms of educational background:

	Palletizer Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Palletizer operator vs production forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between palletizer operators' and production forklift operators' demographics:

	Palletizer Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 79.9% Female, 20.1%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 15.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between palletizer operator and production forklift 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.

Production forklift operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Move and stock products using a stand up and sit down forklift.
Operate various forklifts from old Clark lifts to any new stand up and sit down lifts.
Load tractor trailer trucks with forklift and keep the production line stock with pallets of assort chicken parts to be package.
Execute production activities as directed by supervisor, including performing GMP cell culture of biologic products using closed-system device.
Deliver finished product to production area and stack items on pallet for pickup

Palletizer operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common palletizer operator skills

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

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 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 Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs