Picker operator vs lift truck operator

The differences between picker operators and lift 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 picker operator and a lift truck operator. Additionally, a lift truck operator has an average salary of $36,973, which is higher than the $32,899 average annual salary of a picker operator.

The top three skills for a picker operator include pallet jack, pallets and warehouse environment. The most important skills for a lift truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trailers.

Picker operator vs lift truck operator overview

	Picker Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$32,899	$36,973
Hourly rate	$15.82	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	71,031	103,337
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Picker operator vs lift truck operator salary

Picker operators and lift truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Picker Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average salary	$32,899	$36,973
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $38,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Plainfield, IN	Springfield, OR
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	Siemens	Nestlé
Best paying industry	Transportation	Finance

Differences between picker operator and lift truck operator education

There are a few differences between a picker operator and a lift truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Picker Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Picker operator vs lift truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between picker operators' and lift truck operators' demographics:

	Picker Operator	Lift Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4%	Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 2.1% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between picker operator and lift truck operator duties and responsibilities

Picker operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Work at a CNC machine station and provide accurate input to the machines.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
Certify cherry picker operator / pull orders and putaway

Lift truck operator example responsibilities.

Certify on stand up/sit down forks, clamps, slip sheets and cherry picker
Used WMS system to adjust inventory, either in, out, or amounts.
Perform trailer inspections, loading and unloading inventory, RFT scanner experience, WMS.
Relocate pallets from receiving dock to desire location within warehouse.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation as is required by organization and OSHA.
Load and unload items from machines and dollies.

Picker operator vs lift truck operator skills

Common picker operator skills

Pallet Jack, 35%
Pallets, 15%
Warehouse Environment, 13%
Customer Orders, 12%
OSHA, 5%
Safety Standards, 4%

Common lift truck operator skills

Pallets, 18%
Safety Procedures, 11%
Load Trailers, 6%
AS400, 5%
Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
Forks, 4%

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Transportation Industry
Picker Operator
Picker Operator vs Lift Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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