Production forklift operator vs line operator

The differences between production forklift operators and line operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line operator has an average salary of $34,520, which is higher than the $34,322 average annual salary of a production forklift operator.

The top three skills for a production forklift operator include pallets, line production and safety rules. The most important skills for a line operator are preventative maintenance, PPE, and basic math.

Production forklift operator vs line operator overview

	Production Forklift Operator	Line Operator
Yearly salary	$34,322	$34,520
Hourly rate	$16.50	$16.60
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	160,992	137,127
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 49%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	4	-

Production forklift operator vs line operator salary

Production forklift operators and line operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Production Forklift Operator	Line Operator
Average salary	$34,322	$34,520
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $43,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Fargo, ND	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	Alaska	North Dakota
Best paying company	Darigold	BD
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Manufacturing

Differences between production forklift operator and line operator education

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

	Production Forklift Operator	Line Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 58%	High School Diploma, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Production forklift operator vs line operator demographics

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

	Production Forklift Operator	Line Operator
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%	Male, 67.6% Female, 32.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	4%	5%

Differences between production forklift operator and line operator duties and responsibilities

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

Line operator example responsibilities.

Follow safety procedures, including but not limit to, wearing proper PPE, lock-out/tag-out, and HAZMAT.
Weld various models of Honda car seats.
Operate foam line for assembly of Toyota Tacoma car seats.
Work the assembly line building car door frames for Chrysler.
Work in high volume production setting, sewing seat covers for Toyota vehicles.
Wear all PPE while manually draining and cleaning of all dip tanks and stations after shift or when production quality lessen.

Production forklift operator vs line operator skills

Common production forklift operator skills

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

Common line operator skills

Preventative Maintenance, 12%
PPE, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Extrusion, 8%
Quality Checks, 7%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Production Forklift Operator
Production Forklift Operator vs Line Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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