Skidder operator vs fork truck operator

The differences between skidder operators and fork truck 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 skidder operator and a fork truck operator. Additionally, a skidder operator has an average salary of $39,342, which is higher than the $32,272 average annual salary of a fork truck operator.

The top three skills for a skidder operator include transport logs, general maintenance and air filters. The most important skills for a fork truck operator are pallets, safety procedures, and load trucks.

Skidder operator vs fork truck operator overview

	Skidder Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Yearly salary	$39,342	$32,272
Hourly rate	$18.91	$15.52
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	42,263	117,624
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	4	4

Skidder operator vs fork truck operator salary

Skidder operators and fork truck operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Skidder Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average salary	$39,342	$32,272
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $49,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Grand Forks, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Seneca Foods
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between skidder operator and fork truck operator education

There are a few differences between a skidder operator and a fork truck operator in terms of educational background:

	Skidder Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 57%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	Automotive Technology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Skidder operator vs fork truck operator demographics

Here are the differences between skidder operators' and fork truck operators' demographics:

	Skidder Operator	Fork Truck Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 2.1% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between skidder operator and fork truck operator duties and responsibilities

Skidder operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Operate a skidder, pulling logs to the landing after setting chokers on them
Perform inventory accuracy transactions into MARC, load trailers, organize pallets into the warehouse and receive packaging materials.
Hook and pull logs from wood areas to loading yard area and knuckle boom.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Fork truck operator example responsibilities.

Create and cataloge files for GMP library.
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.

Skidder operator vs fork truck operator skills

Common skidder operator skills

Transport Logs, 30%
General Maintenance, 14%
Air Filters, 10%
Equipment Maintenance, 9%
Booms, 9%
CDL, 8%

Common fork truck operator skills

Pallets, 19%
Safety Procedures, 10%
Load Trucks, 7%
Load Trailers, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Skidder Operator
Skidder Operator vs Fork Truck Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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