Picker operator vs production forklift operator

The differences between picker 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 picker operator and a production forklift operator. Additionally, a production forklift operator has an average salary of $34,322, 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 production forklift operator are pallets, line production, and safety rules.

Picker operator vs production forklift operator overview

	Picker Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Yearly salary	$32,899	$34,322
Hourly rate	$15.82	$16.50
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	71,031	160,992
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Picker operator vs production forklift operator salary

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

	Picker Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average salary	$32,899	$34,322
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Plainfield, IN	Fargo, ND
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	Siemens	Darigold
Best paying industry	Transportation	Manufacturing

Differences between picker operator and production forklift operator education

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

	Picker Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 51%	High School Diploma, 58%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Picker operator vs production forklift operator demographics

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

	Picker Operator	Production Forklift Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4%	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%
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, 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 picker operator and production forklift 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

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

Picker operator vs production forklift operator skills

Common picker operator skills

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

Common production forklift operator skills

Pallets, 24%
Line Production, 12%
Safety Rules, 12%
Pallet Jack, 8%
RF Scanner, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Picker Operator
Picker Operator vs Production Forklift Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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