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Reach-lift truck driver vs forklift operator

The differences between reach-lift truck drivers and 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 reach-lift truck driver and a forklift operator. Additionally, a reach-lift truck driver has an average salary of $56,315, which is higher than the $34,213 average annual salary of a forklift operator.

The top three skills for a reach-lift truck driver include RF, safety rules and . The most important skills for a forklift operator are pallets, basic math, and electric pallet jack.

Reach-lift truck driver vs forklift operator overview

Reach-Lift Truck DriverForklift Operator
Yearly salary$56,315$34,213
Hourly rate$27.07$16.45
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs60,202213,020
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience44

Reach-lift truck driver vs forklift operator salary

Reach-lift truck drivers and forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Reach-Lift Truck DriverForklift Operator
Average salary$56,315$34,213
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $103,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-North Dakota
Best paying company-DeWitt LLP Law Firm
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between reach-lift truck driver and forklift operator education

There are a few differences between a reach-lift truck driver and a forklift operator in terms of educational background:

Reach-Lift Truck DriverForklift Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Reach-lift truck driver vs forklift operator demographics

Here are the differences between reach-lift truck drivers' and forklift operators' demographics:

Reach-Lift Truck DriverForklift Operator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 20.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.8% White, 49.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 16.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between reach-lift truck driver and forklift operator duties and responsibilities

Reach-lift truck driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Procure required manufacturing equipment and parts.

Forklift operator example responsibilities.

  • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
  • Position forks under, over, or around load pallets, boxes, products, and transports load to designate area.
  • Transport raw materials to storage or point of production base on FIFO.
  • Remove press parts from line and place into WIP locations by FIFO.
  • Perform safety checks on machines; and troubleshoot problems during machine operation.
  • Start working as an order selector picking orders and wrapping for shipment.
  • Show more

Reach-lift truck driver vs forklift operator skills

Common reach-lift truck driver skills
  • RF, 89%
  • Safety Rules, 11%
Common forklift operator skills
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • Load Trucks, 4%

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