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The differences between reach truck operators and material handler/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 truck operator and a material handler/forklift operator. Additionally, a material handler/forklift operator has an average salary of $36,453, which is higher than the $34,625 average annual salary of a reach truck operator.
The top three skills for a reach truck operator include pallets, rf scanner and basic math. The most important skills for a material handler/forklift operator are pallets, safety procedures, and electric pallet jack.
| Reach Truck Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Yearly salary | $34,625 | $36,453 |
| Hourly rate | $16.65 | $17.53 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 137,300 | 168,379 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Ramp supervisors oversee safety procedures, ramp equipment, and company policies. They will be tasked with oversight of airport ramp operations, directing the loading and unloading of aircraft cargo and baggage, assurance of proper ramp functions, and compliance with the airport and the government's regulations. Ramp supervisors will also train and manage other staff members.
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
Reach truck operators and material handler/forklift operators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Reach Truck Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average salary | $34,625 | $36,453 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $42,000 | Between $29,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Lakeville, MN |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | United Natural Foods | Nestlé |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a reach truck operator and a material handler/forklift operator in terms of educational background:
| Reach Truck Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 57% | High School Diploma, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between reach truck operators' and material handler/forklift operators' demographics:
| Reach Truck Operator | Material Handler/Forklift Operator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% | Male, 89.1% Female, 10.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.8% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 16.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |