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Pit operator vs machine operator/forklift operator

The differences between pit operators and machine operator/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 pit operator and a machine operator/forklift operator. Additionally, a pit operator has an average salary of $34,111, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.

The top three skills for a pit operator include pallets, safety policies and rf scanner. The most important skills for a machine operator/forklift operator are safety standards, drive forklift, and load trucks.

Pit operator vs machine operator/forklift operator overview

Pit OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Yearly salary$34,111$32,452
Hourly rate$16.40$15.60
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs68,306120,073
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Pit operator vs machine operator/forklift operator salary

Pit operators and machine operator/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pit OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average salary$34,111$32,452
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityLansing, ILRenton, WA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyPost HoldingsTreeHouse Foods
Best paying industryFinanceAutomotive

Differences between pit operator and machine operator/forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a pit operator and a machine operator/forklift operator in terms of educational background:

Pit OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%High School Diploma, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Pit operator vs machine operator/forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between pit operators' and machine operator/forklift operators' demographics:

Pit OperatorMachine Operator/Forklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 87.8% Female, 12.2%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between pit operator and machine operator/forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Pit operator example responsibilities.

  • 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.

Machine operator/forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Measure position of sheet with cores for evenly run product.
  • Keep inventory of products being run on a daily basis.
  • Support operation of rotary die cutter equipment QA testing to follow prescribe guidelines.
  • Operate power shovels, scrapers, backhoes, loaders, bulldozer, dump truck, forklift.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating and breaking rock and concrete and making winter roads.
  • Show more

Pit operator vs machine operator/forklift operator skills

Common pit operator skills
  • Pallets, 17%
  • Safety Policies, 13%
  • RF Scanner, 12%
  • Load Trucks, 10%
  • Safety Committee, 8%
  • Powered Industrial Trucks, 6%
Common machine operator/forklift operator skills
  • Safety Standards, 17%
  • Drive Forklift, 9%
  • Load Trucks, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%
  • CNC, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%

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